The Dirty Vegan is a blog that dishes on sinful vegan junk foods, health foods, recipes, make-up, health, fitness, being a mama, and all things fabulous and vegan at the same time. It is about living a glamorous and fun lifestyle while still being cruelty free. She is not just a vegan, she is a Dirty Vegan.
This. This to everyone, everywhere, in any and every situation. This.
I normally have a lot to say. In fact, it is hard to shut me up, most of the time. But for this post, I wanted to leave it at that, with powerful words that I found circulating the interweb, written by a poet named Rudy Francisco. Food for thought. Goodnight.
Just when you think the horrific slaughter of seal in Canada couldn't get any worse, it somehow does. How could it be any worse, you ask? I read an article by Sheryl Fink from the Director of Canadian Wildlife Campaigns at the International Fund for Animal Welfare which just confirms my disgust in the human race. Canada has decided to start the senseless killing of innocent beings seal hunt early this year... during pup nursing season!
Imagine for one moment that you are a mama seal, protecting and nurturing your newborn, nursing and bonding with that child, then a spineless hunter slaughters you both. Even if they can distinguish between the genders and try to only target the males, which is almost impossible to do and trust me they don't care, imagine being that new family and the trauma that comes with other seals being slaughtered. This unimaginably cruel practice must be stopped. First let's voice our outrage on that fact that the very minute protection that wildlife does in fact have, is being ripped away from them. What's next, entire species of animals are just wiped off the earth? Not like that hasn't happened before right? Why are we going in the wrong direction? We should be protecting wildlife and moving away from barbaric acts and start living in the modern civilized times that evolution and technology has afforded us.
Please start by giving Sheryl's article a read. She explains why starting the hunt early is not only more cruel, it won't work for their purpose and it equates to senseless killing - so there's no point to this, Then, contact Canadian officials and Fisheries Minister Dominic Leblanc to voice your concern for the early hunt and this inhumane practice in general. Ask for the abolishment of Canadian seal hunting, once and for all.
Thank you for all your activism! We are winning this fight for equality for ALL.
I have a tiny cold today. Vegan colds don't last very long, in the rare cases that we get them, so don't feel sorry for me. It will be gone in a second. I like tea, but especially when I'm not feeling very well. I sat down this morning with my Yogi Tea (I included the link just in case any of you don't know what that is). Now I love Yogi teas for their taste, flavors, varieties, and holistic benefits...however what I love the most is the little fortune on the tea tag. They were smart marketers those Yogis! I rip open a Yogi pouch every chance I get to see what today's insight will be. Today mine read...
The art of happiness is to serve all.
I smiled. That is kind of what I do. Serving animals and sharing my blog with humans. Blogging about both animal and human rights and also about the environment. Being an activist everyday, in everything that I do. Pretty cool. And then, I thought, remember that Twilight Zone episode, To Serve Man???!! Oh yeah, ya'll thought I was totally normal-blogging with this cold and I totally just threw a curve-ball atcha!
Here is a clip from the Twilight Zone episode, To Serve Man, set to some cool trippy music:
Basically, what happened was when communicating with space aliens, humans were averse, but then after humans were able to decipher the title of the aliens book, "To Serve Man", they thought that was really nice of the aliens. The episode is really great and you must see it if you haven't already.
Side Note: I watch these on Chiller network and for free on CBS online. Also, since I was a tot, I've been watching the holiday marathons that come on television at Fourth of July and New Years. I've also been on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ride at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. All of which are pretty neat! It happens to be my dream to own the Twilight Zone series, The Complete Definitive Collection. Yes, ALL the episodes ever made. Then no one will ever be able to pry me away from the tv and you'll be getting a lot of weird
posts from me that are Twilight Zone related but somehow connect to veganism. And perhaps some odd recipes as well.
In a nutshell, the black book is a preparation of how to serve man as a meal. I thought this was funny that I thought of this while I was drinking my Yogi. Humans have been eating animals without a care for years, what makes us think we are the highest on this so called "food chain"? I have always been interested to know who else is out there in other galaxies, dimensions, and spaces. We would be foolish to think we are
the only ones. And also slightly arrogant. We are minor specks in this vast universe, but we think we are so big, so mighty. I am happy I am vegan, and if we were ever to run into space aliens, perhaps they would spare us, perhaps karma would kick in at that very moment. I'd also be interested to know if aliens would even want to eat us at all. And I would want to know what the heck they eat!
So what are your thoughts on extraterrestrial life? Comment below; let me know what you think, or if you have been on the Twilight Zone Disney ride, or if you watch these shows, or whatever. Or you may just want to know where I purchased my satirical coffee mug, who knows. Talk to me. Don't leave me alone with my cold and my madness. And for now, the Dirty sci-fi Vegan is signing off.
This Chris Crocker video inspired me to write on this particular blog topic. I've written a lot of inspiring posts and I also stand up for the rights of animals, vegans, vegetarians, gay and lesbian community, people of all races, shapes, and sizes, victims of bullying domestic violence, and anyone who needs me to be a megaphone of a voice for them until theirs can be. If you check out the labels "Lesson" and "Rights" on this blog, you can see some past posts where I address these topics and help to provide some hope when you feel that you need it the most.
Today I wanted to address the adversity vegans and vegetarians face. But first, I wanted to give you some background on Chris Crocker, a pioneer for social movements. Chris Crocker is a YouTube sensation, and probably made famous for his well known video LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE!, which has been seen by millions and surfaced all over the internet. If that is the only Crocker video you have seen, you have been missing out. Crocker is entertaining and humorous, but also teaches a lesson within each video, if you are open to seeing it. Whether Chris is inspiring confidence with his Bitch Bell or giving advice on Dealing with Unsupportive Family, like in the above video, his videos reach people who need to hear his advice. I've seen Chris spreading important messages like, confidence, to be strong, to work it, and also speaking on various social topics; I think he is fascinating. There really isn't a topic that Crocker hasn't spoken on. His messages about gender equality and being different, remind me of issues I have faced being different myself.
At any age, especially young, vegans live a constant battle. We try to surround ourselves with like-minded people, but sometimes that is just not always possible. We face adversity, criticism, and debates (sometimes arguments) about our moral choices. For being good people with good hearts, we face consequences, sometimes negative ones, from people who are close minded and that don't want to accept people for who they are. Sometimes the source of stress is from the ones that we love, and should love us back unconditionally. I am telling you today that no matter what battle you are fighting for - animal rights, gay and lesbian rights, racial equality, anything - you are not alone and it will get better. It does get better with age. When I was younger, I was simply inexperienced. When someone would say, "You need meat, meat is good, vegans don't get protein...", I would freeze up, be at a loss for words, and lose all of the vegan knowledge I had swirling around in my head. Now, I am still faced with so many people like that at events I do for Dirty Vegan Foods and various life situations. However, now I can spit out knowledge, statistics, and facts like you wouldn't believe and my ability to have a smart and true answer for everything has enabled me to not care about the haters, put them in their place kindly, politely, and with poise, and also enable me to change people's minds about veganism through knowledge and leading by example.
Anyone who has a struggle, knows the struggle that animals face. Voiceless yet beautiful and fascinating, we must be their voice for them. To all my young readers, please know that I have been in your shoes. Family who thinks I'm not getting enough protein (most days I eat more protein than I should), vitamins (DEVA makes vegan multi and even vegan glucosamine - so eat that haters), and the feeling of being left out or shunned. We have either been invited or not been invited to uncomfortable outings (things like fishing, pig roasts, crap like that), been criticized, scoffed at, or people being overly mean because they are intimidated by our lifestyle and that we have such a great time doing it (its a peaceful way to be). We also have to deal with people who think we eat fish, dairy, eggs, seafood, and offer it to us on a regular basis - seeming to ignore that we are vegans and ignore what we are doing in the Animal Rights world. I continually get offered non-vegan food, goods (like leather), etc. and people seem to ignore the fact that not only is it not suitable or appropriate, it is offensive to me and all that I believe in! Ignore these people, focus on the good and the mission. The mission is equality for all. And also, try and give people the benefit of the doubt; not everyone is being mean on purpose, sometimes people just don't realize. Just because you are an aware and accepting person, doesn't mean everyone else is. So just do your best to lead a happy life and always put thought into your actions. Pass it along to whoever you can - kindness is contagious!
I like Chris Crocker's message and it is similar to mine. Its basically, live your life, don't let haters get you down, don't get discouraged because the best is yet to come, use common sense, and stand up for yourself. Like Crocker, i am out here getting the message out about peace - peace for ALL. I really feel if we brought together all the social rights activists, we can work together on turning this place around for the good! Let's team up, Everyone!
Chris will be coming out with a documentary in 2012 and I'm psyched for it. He has a good heart and big personality. His message and making light of heavy situations, is just the kind of social crusader we need and I think he is a positive voice in the gay and lesbian community. And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off. Peace.
If every single one of us who are not being abused took a stand and fought to help those victims who are being abused, this whole world would become a better place a lot faster. Everyone has problems, or issues, or annoyances, or stressors. But there are those that are being agonized day in and day out. Maybe someone is being bullied or picked on in school. They feel emotional pain, or even physical hurt. They cry, they wonder why these things are happening to them, they feel awful. Maybe someone has found the love of their life and are so excited! They want to tell the world. They want to shout it from the rooftops! But they can't. People look at them the wrong way, people tell them they cannot marry or have the same rights as heterosexual couples just because they are woman and woman, or man and man. Maybe you're a baby animal being born with optimism and hope for a comfortable future as your instinct would first lead you to believe. Then you are treated with violence and disrespect. Ripped from your mother, not feeling comfortable at all or clean. You don't get the things your body and instincts need. You are hit, ripped apart, altered, sexually abused, all while still being alive - thinking "why me?", then finally you're spared with death, and they call you food!
All these victims were not regarded as special beings - but they are so special, so wonderful. There are so many more instances of victims being abused right this very minute. You might be reading this from work. Your boss may be riding you to get a report or project done - or anything/ anywhere else. But let me assure you as big as our problems may seem to us, there are others out there suffering much worse. If we have the means to help, we better help them. You don't always need money to donate, while its a great help, your voice is big and its beautiful and its powerful. Use that strong voice of yours to make phone-calls, to spread the word, to write letters. Pick a cause(s) and help victims. If every single person reading this today helps someone, then tells another, and another, we can make caring viral! We can spread peace like crazy and others can live good lives - everyone can live a good life.
If you can do something today to help another, please do. Sign a petition, write a letter, make a phone-call, choose kinder food and lifestyle choices - do it! I hope all of the victims hang in there. I feel so much empathy for those animals and people being treated cruelly. They are more loved than they know. There are lots of activists out there doing the same, fighting for good, and doing the right thing. Thank you to all the kind hearts. Some people may say that "the right thing" can be interpreted differently and why is my "right thing" the right thing. Well I define the right thing as helping to free others of suffering. If someone is physically or mentally in pain and I can do something to stop it from happening, that to me, is doing the right thing.
Let's all stand up and make a difference in someone's life today. Let's do it peacefully, but with strength and purpose. Use the most important things - your voice and your dollar. Do not purchase from cruelty. Speak up about cruelty. This is the Land of the Free - not the Land of the Free if Society Says You Are Allowed To Be Free. Everyone deserves the right to be happy; to feel peace and comfort. Let's change the way society views things. I know we can do it.
"Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing flawlessly." -Robert Schuller
What is your dream? Do you have a goal that you would like to reach but think that you can't get there, so you just haven't tried. Well today I'm writing this blog post to tell you that you can do it! Yes, you can't fail at something if you don't try, but why not try? Go for it! If you try and try and try it is much better than wondering if you could have reached something but never knowing because you didn't try. Regret is awful and can be daunting. I know that if you work hard at something you cannot fail! That is the mentality I keep every single minute with Dirty Vegan Foods. When things seemed so difficult and out of reach I pushed and pushed and kept thinking to myself, "if you work hard, work every minute, then you can't fail, you just can't". Think about it, how could you fail? If you never give up, failure just isn't and option. Failure happens when you give up, so don't! Take the word fail right out of your vocabulary. I'm not saying it will be easy. In fact, it will be damn hard! You might cry some days. People in your life might frustrate you or get you down. Some people might not realize how hard you are working and expect time from you. Try your best. Keep your goal clear in your mind and in your heart. Use that goal to be your motivation. Work for it. The greats aren't great because they were handed their success, they had to work for their accomplishments. You will too. I believe you can do it. Why not, there is nothing stopping anyone. Socially disadvantaged? Get on Twitter - you will find a community of individuals just like you with the same goals you have - if not, start that Twitter community. Don't know where to start? Go to the library, or a book store, read business books or books about your dreams. Contact offices and ask lots of questions. Write everything down. It is not going to be a piece of Snack Cake but as long as you outline the steps you need to take to succeed, and follow them dutifully, I believe you can do it. Believe in yourself too. There will be bumps in the road. That is inevitable. For every step forward, there might be 3 steps back. Bumps in the road, mistakes, they are just lessons that help you be better at whatever you are trying to do.
"The way to succeed is to double your error rate." -Thomas J. Watson
With DVF we started with several dreams. Firstly, to save the lives of animals. Our goal is to make vegan food more affordable by cutting out the demand for animal products, thus making vegan food less expensive. Basically, if more people buy it, it will be easier and cheaper to obtain. Vote with your dollar! If we cut out animal products, we can free and save the lives of animals. That is a beautiful thing. I support every vegan food company in this quest to change the way we look at food. Food is not animals. Animals are animals. Food is food. Lets work together to create this distinction. We also are working towards helping the environment and snacking in a wholesome way, thus bettering human health.
There was a vegan snack food void. I hope we have and are just beginning to fill this void. We have so much to still accomplish. It is a hustle every single day. When you are trying to change the world, you don't take breaks. Superwoman and Superman didn't really take breaks. When Batman's spotlight flickered, alerting him that he was needed, he non-hesitantly returned to duty. He didn't say, "Well, I always help them and have done so much already, let me just sit this one out". Nope, superheroes work towards goals until the goals are achieved, and even after, they maintain them. Be a superhero in someone's life. Whether it is for animals, the homeless, gay and lesbians, victims of bullying, domestic violence abuse victims, children in poverty or in need of help, the environment, anyone or anything - I know you can do it! Together, we can and will change the world for the better. If enough good hearted people work together at goals to make the world a better and happier place, how could we fail? Fail has been taken out of our vocabulary, right? No one is perfect, however. I am still figuring out my blog settings and how I can better this page for you, my readers, my friends. How can this page can be more user friendly (if you know, tell me!)? I'm always changing things around, adding search options or little helpful things on here. DVF is evolving. The packaging is getting better, the labels are getting better, the website is getting more refined and content that you are requesting is being added, setbacks are important lessons, feedback is critical so we know how we can better ourselves. You will also have to weed out the criticisms and learn what is right for you and your dream. Be flexible but never loose sight of your dreams; never let anything compromise your beliefs. Beliefs are your morals. There will be bumps in the road but don't be too hard on yourself, look at them in a positive way, a way to make yourself better and stronger at what you do.
"No one is perfect..that’s why pencils have erasers." - Author Unknown
I interact with you all. You e-mail me, we chat online, on the blog, on Facebook and Twitter. You are all smart, capable people with the BEST ideas. You have good hearts. I feel like Dirty Vegan is more than a blog and a name in snack food, this is also a community. It is great to meet you at the farmer's markets and around. I love to hear about your stories and your life. I am humbled and flattered that you take the time to read this blog. Your time is valuable. I try to make it as interesting, fun, witty, uplifting, and happy as I can make it. I know there are a gazillion other blogs you can be reading and the fact that you take time to read mine - I appreciate you. We aim to make the best tasting, cutest looking, and most fun snack food around, so your snacking experience will be exciting! And the point of this is, I know my readers by name or handle, we build relationships with our customers and clients. I interact with you guys and we have a friendship. Therefore I know what you are capable of. BIG THINGS! You all have such amazing aspirations. Go for it! Go for those dreams. Nothing is out of reach. Believe me I've been there. The times where all your chips are down. The times where life has knocked you down so many times that getting back up doesn't seem like a possibility. But you have to. The world is counting on you. It is not going to change itself, is it? Let's make it happen.
"Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around". -Vanilla Sky
Thank you for supporting The Dirty Vegan and Dirty Vegan Foods. Every e-mail we get from readers and customers fills our hearts. Happy sweet-snacking! And go get those dreams!
I surround my life with knowing about all this cruelty and pain, so that I can fight to free others of their pain and suffering. I knew I was meant to do something in life, and to find that something is the biggest blessing to me. I am meant to fight for others who are less fortunate than me. I am meant to speak for ones who cannot speak for themselves. Animals, gay and lesbian community, fellow women who are still victims of sexism, people of all races and nationalities, people who are alone and need help, victims of bullying, men and women who are victims of domestic violence - everyone has the power to help someone else out. Let's speak up for those who don't have the means to speak up for themselves, or ones who need a little help doing so.
There is so much that can be done to help. Volunteer at an animal shelter, holding the animals to provide them some comfort until they get to their forever homes. Foster animals so that frees up space in shelters and lessens the chance of them being put to sleep. Rally for people's rights, vote for peaceful ways that allow others to be happy and make their own choices, the ones that suit them. Not everything is right for everyone, but let others decide what is right for them. Speak up for people being bullied. If you know someone who is a victim of anything, tell authorities, tell your teachers, or parents, or someone you trust, go to the police. If you know of animal abuse or neglect, call the humane society or local animal control office. Do these things anonymously if you are scared of backlash. Volunteer at homeless shelters, soup kitchens, old-folks homes - be the sunshine in someone else's day. Be the light that shines on someone else and brings them joy when they thought it wasn't even possible to feel happiness again. You never know what one kind word, or one kind action, will do to someone's life; it can turn everything around.
I was honored to be asked to participate in the Meatout 2011 blogging event. On this day, March 20th, 2011, so many people from all over the world are campaigning, handing out samples of vegan food, handing out brochures, spreading the word, and blogging about veganism. We also have kind hearts who are pledging to go veg!
Don't worry, we will get to these treats in just a minute!
I understand that today I am going to have some first-time readers and visitors. Welcome! The link below has some great past Dirty Vegan posts that introduce myself and my mission, introduce veganism, and some easy tips on how to transition.
Also, please feel free to search this blog with the search function, and browse the different labels, archives, and past posts/ yummy recipes. I also invite new readers to interact with me on Facebook and Twitter using the widgets on the right-hand side.
This is an exciting time in your life and you will see your whole world (and your health) change for the better, once you adopt a vegetarian lifestyle. Whether it is just for the day, committing to participate in Meatout 2011, a transition phase where you include more veggie meals into your lifestyle, or a permanent decision, you are doing the hugest kindness for animals, the environment, and for yourself. Going vegetarian saves approximately 100 animals live's per year! If you are feeling like this is a lot of information to take in, no worries. The recipes and tips on my blog are easy and laid back. So please subscribe to this blog and you will see tons of simple vegan recipes with ingredients that can be so easily found in most supermarkets (and its not health-food believe me!). There will also be more giveaways, more information, and more fun stuff to come -please see veganism as a place free of stress. And if you think about it, by no longer ingesting the pain, suffering, fear, and death of animals, you are ridding your body and mind of that negativity. For now, lets get Dirty!
So in honor of this wonderful Meatout 2011 event, I wanted to provide a yummy vegan alternative to a classic treat. And it is EASY!!! That's how I like it, quick, easy, and Dirty!
Crispy Rice Marshmallow Treats
What you will need:
3 tbsp vegan buttery spread (I used Smart Balance Light - it is vegan and easily attainable, in almost every grocery store)
10 oz bag of vegan marshmallows (I used Dandies - in my opinion the best vegan marshmallow out there right now and it doesn't need refrigeration - these taste as good as what I remember them to taste like and even better!)
5 or 6 cups puffed rice cereal (I say 5 or 6 because you can make them a bit less sweet and lighter tasting by adding more cereal - I wouldn't use more than 6 cups however, because you don't want them to be too dry)
Fun add-ins: chocolate chips, coconut flakes, peanut butter chips (optional)
What to do:
Melt the buttery spread in a large saucepan on medium heat. Then add the vegan marshmallows and melt, stirring frequently. When the mixture is very melty and gooey, remove from heat and add in the cereal. Form mixture into a greased pan using a buttered spoon. Let cool; once cool you can cut them into squares and serve. Enjoy!
The treats cooling in the pan
YUM! So good! Enjoy and thanks for visiting! Bookmark or follow this blog for more Dirty!
Doing this thing all these years, I've had my share of heartache, my share of tears. I have been made sick to my stomach by abuses that are unthinkable and I have been moved to tears by happy endings to the lucky ones who received it.
Animal Rights is an important social movement. Women, African Americans, Gays & Lesbians, just to name a few, have been treated horribly, unfairly, like they were not worth it, like second class citizens. And although these movements are still working towards change, towards equality, we have seen huge progress. I am positive and optimistic that things will move forward and we will win equality for all. Because everyone is worth it and everyone is so much more than they are being portrayed by the ones who don't understand them.
Just like others, animals have been thought of as nothings. "They are just food", "it is part of the circle of life", "God put them here for people to eat", they say. Well, I SAY that is absurd!
They are not food, they are interesting, they make friends and have families, they communicate, they survive, they have feelings and things that make them happy, they are brilliant. Just because they don't speak our language, just because they are different, we are entitled to persecute, abuse, and exploit them? No way.
It is not the circle of life because in this day and age we have other means. We have the best, we have better, means to protein and food. We have quinoa, which is complete protein. We have soy, we have lentils, we have beans. We have flax and vegetable oils to get our perfect ratio of omegas. We have enriched non-dairy milks, and so many other foods with loads of B vitamins (but we also have Deva Nutrition - where you can get pretty much any vegan supplement known to man), therefor we have a vegetarian community that studies show live longer and healthier lives. We have a vegan substitute for ANYTHING.
Whichever God you believe in, is there really any proof that He or She would want us to treat other beings this way? No matter your religious belief, you see what I see, animals crying out in pain wondering why the pain is happening to them. If you don't believe in God or religion, you can still see pain. You can still relate. The problem is that no one sees pain in their fast-food hamburger wrapped in paper. The abuse and torture has been well hidden, enough to where animals are still being abused for food, apparel, animal testing, entertainment, and much more. It is happening behind the scenes and the Dirty Vegan is here to show you why being cruelty-free is fabulous, fun, but mainly, it is a beautiful thing because you don't have to live your life knowing in the back of your mind someone had to suffer for what you have. You can also take comfort in knowing that what you are doing supports change, and things are turning around for animals; knowing that you were a part of these victories. I believe one day everyone will be equal. I believe animals will roam free, I believe women will make the same wages as men, I believe all races will be treated equally (because quite frankly, who gives a crap about skin color, there is so much more that defines a person - no more judging people! - and heritage is a beautiful thing, lets celebrate all cultures!), I believe that one day people will butt-out of thinking they have a right to tell people who they can marry or love (how is that even anyone else's business?), and I believe one day all beings will be equal.
Here are some examples of the Sweet and Sour. The Sour angers us, it drives us to change things, it hurts us, and we feel for their pain. The Sweet makes it all worth it; the rainbow after a storm. The Sweet is confirmation that we are winning.
The Victories...the Sweet:
"Not one of the experiments that the company conducted was legally required for beverage makers, and regulators have stated that animal tests are not required to prove a health claim about a product.
With this victory, the suffering of animals for Lipton and PG tips teas ends. Lipton joins many other tea and beverage companies—including Stash Tea, Luzianne Tea, Twinings, Honest Tea, Ocean Spray, Welch's, POM Wonderful, and Japan-based tea giant ITO EN—in being cruelty-free.
Written by Michelle Sherrow
Posted by PETA"
The Tragedies...the Sour:
Life is not a circus for these poor animals. Life is horrible for them.
Don't stop believing, stop supporting industries that conduct animal abuse. You will be saving lives and think of all the GOOD Karma that will be coming your way! There is nothing more glamorous than a kind and compassionate person. To me, that is super sexy! For now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off.
