The Pig Preserve; A Contrast

It seems kind of ironic that the more we become connected the deeper the heartache. As I have been recollecting The Pig Preserve visit, I have received several messages from people bearing witness to truckloads of pigs being transported down the highway, to slaughter. A comment was waiting for me as I logged-in today, saying the hardest think about living in "Kentuckiana" is seeing the constant flow of  transport trucks full of pigs - and then seeing them go, empty. Everyday. Right here. In the middle of a major metropolitan area - Louisville, Ky - the self deemed; Compassionate City. I beg to differ this proclaimed title as I know my pig friends do too. I always wonder, how many people even notice their journey or much less consider their destination. (More on JBSwift Plant here)

The JBS hog-slaughtering plant slaughters around 10,000 hogs a day, six days a week.

Knowing this, visiting a place like The Pig Preserve seems like a foreign land. The Preserve is about 100 acres of land mixed with woods providing refuge for approximately 100 pigs. I had the pleasure of visiting a couple of weeks ago with Uplands PEAK board member, Kelly Cramer. On our arrival we were greeted by three of the resident dogs; Travis, Maxwell, and Big Brown Dog. Apparently, dogs and pigs can co-exist much like dogs and cats, with some monitoring.  One of the things that struck me was the mild manners of  the pigs. They seemed so content and relaxed. Of course, our visit was between meals, SO, we can't 100% attest to that always being the case.

Baby Bella 

 Rich, the owner, graciously took us around the property on his 4wheeler, while Bella, the piglet, ran along side. She stopped when we stopped checking the food bowls and testing the mud holes at each dwelling. Rich made the comment that she "was full of herself" that day. How could she not be, look at how darn cute she is!
 The Pig Preserve is unique in that they have the space to allow pigs to choose their own social group and dwelling. The traditional barn is near the house, there are more dwellings out in the woods, and near the big swimming hole. I would imagine that is why we didn't hear too much fussing that day, they have space. Space to choose how they want to spend their day and with whom. And most importantly, they can live in peace.
Of course, a sanctuary visit is not complete without a group cry! Rich shared stories of friendship and grieving. When Miss Fergy, the alpha female of the Preserve passed, all her friends came to pay respect to her body. He has witnessed pigs laying with a passed pigs friend body while crying. Yes, a pig crying over their deceased friend pig.
We have much to understand about these "gentle giants", as Rich often refers to them. But we also have to stop denying that their lives matter. That they enjoy being in nature. And that they to want to life as a pig should......
We are so grateful to Rich and his wife, Laura for all the time they took with us on our visit. But most importantly, all that they are doing for our pig friends.

Enjoying the woods

Dogs and Pigs CAN get along!

Being a Witness for my New Friends

  This week I have been getting to know the Sanctuary a bit, learning the routine, and becoming more familiar with some of the residents. A few mornings, I have been on water duty in the Goat/Sheep and Pig Barns. I have found myself working like a bank robber while changing the water bowls (well more like mud bowls) in the pig barn. Pigs are like cats, they eat and sleep about 18 hours a day. They say at the Sanctuary, that Miss Piggy is like a sun dial, look at which way her belly is turned and you will find the sun. She is SO pink! She loves the sun.

  Besides, the waters in the morning, I have been working in the Medical Building most of the days. A caregiver, Dawnell (who is totally awesome, and such a calm presence), refers to the Med Building as "hospice". There are some roosters, who just have to be separated for the time being, they are raging teenagers right now. There are a few hens that are are waiting to be integrated into the flock. Then there are a few that are being made comfortable for their last days. 

  One of those, is a white bird, Dandy. Dandy is a what the industry refers to as a "broiler" because that was his destiny in the industry. At Woodstock, they refer to them as the white birds. They are chickens, however, they have been so insanely genetically manipulated, that they are also referred to as "frankenbirds".  They have been altered, to grow extremely fast and to have large white breasts, since that is what the consumer desires. Chickens in the industry live for 45 days. No longer.  Due to growing so fast so quickly, and not meaning to live beyond 45 days, white birds tend to have organ issues, are at risk for heart attacks, and mobility issues. Not to mention, they are STARVING all the time, because they have genetically manipulated to eat constantly so they can grow very large. At the sanctuary, they are a a very strict low fat diet, and have measured feedings. 

Dandy in the Med Building Yard enjoying some Sunshine

Dandy, my new friend, is such a calm sweet guy. He has lived some happy days out at the Sanctuary. He started walking with one leg sticking out behind him recently. He has received treatment but it is not getting better. His hock is quite inflamed. He is no longer mobile. He kinda of move  from one spot to the next but it isn't very pretty, and it takes a lot of effort. He can't support himself on his feet at all. Dandy is a very large chicken.

Since he is weak, he is in the Med Building and in a crate (a dog crate) with lots of cushion for comfort. He is on pain medication, as he is in lots of pain. To help reduce the swelling and some pain, he gets cold compressed on his leg a few times a day.  I have been able to hold him the last couple of days for his cold compress for his leg. He just lays snug in my lap for a about 20 minutes, kind of on his side, relieving some pressure on his chest, and I hold the compress on his foot. He closes his eyes a bit. Sometimes he makes a low chirp sound. He always starts to try to turn and flap his wings a bit when he is finished.  

Someone asked me if I was attached to him, as he won't be here for even a few more days. My reply "I am just honored to make his last few days (hopefully) a bit more comfortable..."  

Don't Jump Pigs are Drama Queens

     And it begins.... hand me a rake, pitch fork, and a bale of hay! 

     My first day as a intern at Woodstock Animal Sanctuary was cleaning and lots of it! Mark and I jumped in to lend a hand with the daily chores. We cleaned and prepared a stall for the arrival of two new sheep (more on these girls at a later date). We did poop patrol through the pig enclosure, cleaned out a pig stall, and cleaned and re-did a chicken coop.

Walter and I at Woodstock Animal Sanctuary 

   So, challenge number one, get wheelbarrow through the muddy pig enclosure full of poop without letting a pig dump it over. Yea, they think it's fun. Challenge number two if  "Little Dude" (who isn't little at all) comes towards you MOVE. Challenge number three, get more comfortable with the pigs! Yea, it's a natural reaction to flinch when you hear squeals and grunts coming out of a 300-400lb being. Everyone has assured me the pigs are "Drama Queens". Being a Leo, I totally get it. 
  Ya know, all that talk about how dirty pigs are? Well, their "nests" are spotless, that is where they sleep. And I actually said out out loud today "Pig poop actually isn't bad". Seriously, easy clean-up and not much smell. Well, until the wheelbarrow is full. Just a little more info on "Little Dude", he just gets overwhelmed a bit, as he is almost blind and is deaf.
 The next big job today, cleaning out one of the chicken coops. This involved, removing all the shavings, scraping cracks and the floor with a putty knife, sprinkling mite treatment down, and replacing the shavings. Pretty big task for the afternoon, but add to that a dozen chickens who are totally into your every move! We kept all the chickens out of the coop except one,"Tamulah". She kept trying to make a nest in our piles, and trying to get through the doors to the other areas. I loved having some time up close with the chickens today. One of my goals while here, is to get to know more about the birds.

  When we wake-up there is no going back to sleep. 

I found myself tearing up many times today for no obvious reason in the moment. But knowing that it is a culmination of moments. It is amazing to be here with these animals. For them to give us a chance. To be that human that that they can trust. That scratches that hard to reach place behind their horns. That stands with them in the moment, in complete peace. And all the while, realizing the horrible things that are happening to BILLIONS of other animals, in that same moment. And being very much aware of how much I have to learn, the doubt that can creep in.... and the "Yes" that is even louder - because they deserve better. 

Fall Breakfast Cookies

Breakfast Cookies

With the changing of seasons, I am not as excited about my morning smoothie. I am not sure a breakfast cookie is the answer but I came across these as I was flipping through the Living Without Magazine. I adapted the recipe a bit. I don't have much experience with gluten free baking but these cookies are a bundle of fall yumminess! And pack a powerful nutritional punch. 

Here it is - Enjoy! 

8 tablespoons of coconut oil 
1/3 cup blackstrap molasses
1 serving of Energ egg replacer
1/2 cup of 100% orange juice
1 tablespoon of  ground flaxseed  + 2 tablespoons of hot water (mix, let sit for 5 min)
1 1/2  teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 cup of Oat Flour (you could use any other flour)
1 cup of Oats
1/3 cup of Oat bran
1 1/2 teaspoons of corn starch
1 1/2 teaspoons 
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of dried cranberries ( you could use any dried fruit)
1/4 cup of sunflower seeds
1/4 cup of chopped almonds
1/4 cup of coconut flakes

1) Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease 2 cookie sheets.
2) In a large bowl, cream together coconut oil and molasses. Beat in Energ egg replacer. Add juice, flax meal, and vanilla.
3) Add flour blend, oats, oat bran, corn starch, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. 
4) Stir in cranberries, seeds, nuts, and coconut.
5) Drop cookies 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. The cookies don't melt, so flat them to 1/4 inch thickness and 2 inch diameter. 
6) Place in preheated oven and bake 13-15minutes. 

"Super Vegan" Results - You can be one too!

Anyone can be a "Super Vegan". Yes, even you! I just completed a 30 day Challenge at my gym. My coach said that I could keep my main sources of protein but I wanted to give the strict challenge a try. What is "Super Vegan"? It is a whole foods vegan diet and actually is mostly raw. I mainly ate vegetables, fruits, seeds & nuts, and coconut. No, I didn't eat any soy, grains, legumes, or faux meats. Yes, you can make it without soy! For this challenge, I didn't use quinoa either. 

My physical results: 8lbs lost, 4% body fat, most fat lost in thighs (uh, I'll take that), and 4:08 taken off of my challenge WOD time. And the husband, who is in the running to win the challenge : 13lbs lost, 4.25% BF, 4:24 taken off his WOD time. Cha-Ching!

Here are a few observations and food finds:

Awesome Observations

Less is More - Part of a vegan lifestyle is mindfulness. So, eliminating packaged foods, prepared foods, and replacing with whole foods, reduced the impact on the environment. Less packaging = less in the landfills. 

Show me the Money - Buying less convenience foods actually is a cost savings. For me, not eating out, eliminating alcohol, and continuing to purchase organic, the cost for 30 days was the same. 

Hold the Salt - Packaged foods are loaded with added salt. Over the course of the day this can really add up. Eliminating processed and packaged foods dramatically decreases salt intake - Salt and high blood pressure .

Get off the Sugar Merry-Go-Round - When we eat sugar, we crave more sugar, it's a cycle. There is an adjustment period. For me, having a little more fat after a meal, like avocado or coconut, or nuts helped to get me over this hump. 

Even Steven - Eating whole foods, no grains, no sugar, and very limited starches- I noticed a more  balanced energy through the day, less of a spike in hunger levels, and also a less heavy or "blown-up" feeling after meals. 

Challenge Foodie Finds

Sun Warrior Blend (Natural) - RAW PROTEIN - I love this stuff! It's a raw protein blend with a small amount of coconut oil - no additives or flavors! I have a smoothie almost every morning - with water, a small amount of berries, and a green (kale or spinach) sometimes maca powder or 100% cocoa powder. It mixes great and in a pinch is good by itself mixed with water. You can find a deal on Amazon on this too. 

Crispy Green - This snack totally satisfies the "crunch" factor. It is just freeze dried fruit. Low calories and low sugar - much less than dried fruit!! The PINEAPPLE are amazing! I purchased this brand at Fresh Market. I did try the Whole Foods brand, it wasn't as good. 

Coconut Flakes -  I like the FLAKES better than the shredded for a snack -  little more bang for your buck. I may eat a bit by itself, mix my own trail mix, or add to a sweet potato. A nice, easy, raw treat is to grind in a coffee grinder: coconut flakes, flaxseed, a few nuts, cocoa powder, and a date - YUM!!! You can find this brand at Whole Foods. 

Lara Bars - Perfect on a workout day! My two favorite are Coconut Creme Pie and Tropical Fruit Tart . You can make your own bars but these are nice for convenience and usually about a buck a bar. You can find them at almost any grocery store.

Canned Coconut Milk -  I keep a can on hand for curried vegetables, coffee creamer, and just to drizzle over a bowl of fruit, nuts, and seeds! 

Also, purchase Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life by Brendan Brazier. I bought this book when I started running two years ago and used like two recipes. It was a must have for the 30day Challenge but also for CrossFit in general. There are recipes for sports drinks (awesome on a crazy hot day in the ville), recovery drinks, dinner, etc. The zucchini pasta and marinara sauce is superb!! 

Remember figure out what works best for you! Being "clean" for 30days gives you a chance to notice how your body reacts and allows for adjustments. While for me the 30 day Challenge is over, my husband and I agree that we would like to continue being "Super Vegan" the majority of the time.

Vegan Paleo Challenge - Recipes Included

On the outside looking in, it could appear as if I have an attention span disorder when it comes to food. It's possible. Constantly, seeking out information about food and nutrition - GUILTY.

As I posted previously, I did investigate and try out the Engine 2 Diet for 28 days, well with several cheat meals. I will still be posting some of the tried recipes and costs in future.  I loved all the recipes that I tried and will still use some of them. It did widened my perspective on reading food labels. I didn't realize that so many foods have added oils. For instance, a bag of just plain ol' soy nuts - added oil. WHY? Well, my theory with added oil, salt, and sugar is it is cheap but it also keeps you coming back for another bag - PROFIT. That is the great thing about whole foods like broccoli, the ingredients? Broccoli.

My diet had taken a change of course for the time being.  My husband and I joined a CrossFit gym about a month ago. Our gym started a strict Paleo Challenge May 1st for 30 days and we couldn't resist! Fellow vegans may immediately scratch their heads. The Paleo-Diet, also referred to as the Cave-Man Diet, prescribes meat. However, I agree with most of the nutrition: VEGETABLES, healthy fats, seeds, nuts, some fruit, and no sugar. In case you didn't know, being vegan and living without grains and beans may be an epic feat - but I am up for the challenge. Most importantly, I want to notice. Notice, my thoughts around not having those foods, notice my energy level, notice any differences in my composition or functioning, etc.  And we'll see if it will be a lifestyle change.

Of course, in my research for ideas on foods, recipes, and inspiration, I have found that other vegans are attempting this lifestyle as well. However, many are still incorporating some soy and grains. Why? It seems to be for the protein. Which I find very interesting. As a vegan have we not changed our own thinking around the protein issue? Do we need grains and soy for protein? I don't think so. I am tracking what I eat daily on LIVESTRONG. It's not necessary for the challenge or for the Paleo Diet. However, I was curious. Curious, to how much fat, protein, carbs, and sugars I am taking in on the challenge. Everyday for the last 8 days I have exceeded my daily recommended protein amount - just like every other American. Even without meat, soy, legumes, or grains. 

As I continue to take on this challenge, per request, I will post recipes and the approximate nutritional information according to LIVESTRONG - for the purposes of the grams of protein.

Coconut Lime Curried Vegetables and Creamy Garlic & Chive Mashed Cauliflower

Approximate Nutritional Information per Serving: 

Calories 246.79   Fat 11.89   Protein 16.21

Serves 2  

Creamy Garlic & Chive Mashed Cauliflower

1/2  Head Large Cauliflower, Steamed
 4-6  oz of Vegetable Broth,
 Low Sodium (adjust amount for  desired thickness)
 1 Clove of Garlic, Chopped
 2 TBS of Chives
 2 TBS of Nutritional Yeast
 Salt and Pepper to Taste 

Puree Cauliflower, Vegetable Broth,   and Garlic in a blender or food processor until smooth. Pour into bowl and add Chives and Nutritional Yeast. 

Coconut Lime Curried Vegetables

 
 1  Head of Broccoli
 8  oz Baby Bella Mushrooms, Sliced   
 1 Red Pepper, Cut in Chunks
 1 Cup of Vegetable Broth,
  Low Sodium add 1/3 cup of  the
 1/3 of Dulse
 1/3 of Coconut Milk
 1/2 TBS of Curry Powder
 1 oz of Sliced Almonds
 1 Tsp of Lime Zest

Saute Vegetables with 1/3 cup of Vegetable Broth. Add 1/3 cup of Vegetable Broth, Dulse, Lime Zest, and Coconut Milk - let simmer for 5-7  minutes. Garnish with Almonds.

Veggie Lasagna- helping kick dairy to the curb!

  Want to lower your cholesterol and lose weight while eating awesome food? Well you can by following the Engine 2 Diet . I became intrigued by a whole plant based diet without added oil when I watched "Forks over Knives" . Yes, I already eat a plant based diet, however, I did have to try every vegan dessert and other vegan treat upon becoming vegan. Now, having that out of my system, I am ready for more structure and discipline around food again.

 I purchased  The Engine 2 Diet Book  and began following the recipes about a week ago. The plan is a 28-day "Save -Your-Life" diet that lowers cholesterol and burns away pounds. That is not the reason I am following it. I actually have stellar cholesterol numbers. Personally, I feel more at peace with some structure and discipline around food. While The Engine 2 Diet is a plant-based diet, it does use honey, which does not make it vegan, so be aware. Do we need to go over why honey is not vegan?

 So far, we have eaten all our meals at home, cooked for every meal, and have eaten very well! I will be blogging some of the recipes as well as tracking our spending. Eating healthy is suppose to be expense, right? I will let you decide. I think it is important to remember that you can substitute ingredients, sometimes frozen is a less expensive option, and sometimes you can omit an ingredient as well.

 One of the things I love, is that on the Engine 2 website under "Tools and Support"  you can select 1 of the 4 weeks in which a menu is planned with a generated grocery list. How easy! Or you can create your own weekly menu and generate a grocery list for each recipe you choose. Regardless if you want to follow the plan, there are some amazing plant based recipes to try!

Raise-the-Roof Sweet Potato-Vegetable Lasagna  (serves- 10-12)

 

 Ingredients

1 onion, chopped

1 small head of garlic, all cloves chopped or pressed

8 ounces of mushrooms, sliced

1 head of broccoli, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

2 red bell peppers, seeded and chopped

1 can of corn, rinsed and drained ( I used frozen corn)

1 package of firm tofu

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon rosemary

2 jars of pasta sauce (see E2 approved Foods ) no added oil or sugar

2 boxes of whole grain lasagna noodles

16 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and drained

2 sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed

6 Roma tomatoes, sliced thin

1 cup of raw cashews, ground

Preheat Oven to 400 degrees. Saute the onion and garlic on high heat for 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook until the onions are limp and the mushrooms provide liquid - this never happened for me, so I added a bit of veggie broth. Remove them and add to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. You may need to add more broth to your pan. Saute the peppers and corn until just beginning to soften. Add them to the veggie bowl. Drain the tofu by wrapping in paper towels. Break it up directly in the towel and mix into the veggie bowl. Add  spices to the veggie bowl and combine.

To Assemble: Cover the bottom of a 9X13 in. casserole dish with a layer of sauce. Add a layer of noodles. Cover the noodles with sauce. This will save time and energy, as the noodles will cook in the oven. Spread the veggie mixture over the sauced noodles. Cover with a layer of noodles and another dressing of sauce. 

Add the spinach to the second layer of sauced noodles. Cover the spinach with mashed sweet potatoes. Add another layer of sauce, the final layer of noodles, and a last topping of sauce.

The pan will be very full! Cover the lasagna with thinly sliced Roma tomatoes. I added a bit more seasoning on top of the tomatoes.

 

 

 Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle with the cashews, and return to the oven for 15 minutes. Let the lasagna sit for 15 minutes before serving. 

This recipe makes 10 hardy servings. We had it for lunch for a few days and froze the rest for weeks to come. It was AMAZING. I promise you won't miss the cheese in this one!

I used all organic ingredients. The total cost was $28.62. For 12 servings the cost is $2.39 a serving. While, you could shave some cost of by omitting the cashews in this recipe - don't - it gives it a nice creamy flavor!

My Heart Belongs to a Cow

I am not sure that vegan's are suppose to have a favorite animal. As a vegan, I am trying to save them all, as well as you and I, and the planet. In this lifetime. However, cows have stolen my heart, busted it wide open, and essentially changed my life.  My bias may come from my own guilt and thus redemption seeking for all  those years I spent uninformed, drinking milk, eating ice-cream, and gorging on cheese. Regardless, they are the beings that lifted the veil from my eyes, spoke to my heart, and called me to action. For both reasons, I am forever indebted and grateful.

We are fed  pictures of happy, healthy diary cows with their babies on bright green pastures from the billion dollar dairy industry. However, this is far from reality. This is not the reality for the mother nor her calf. Dairy cows are constantly impregnated artificially, to birth a calf so that humans can consume and profit from her milk. More disheartening is that the calves are taken away from their mothers immediately after birth. This causes severe distress for the mother as well as her calf. And this happens, over, and over, and over in the industry.

In October, I attended the first ever National Conference to End Factory Farming. A Veterinarian, Holly Cheever, shared a story of a pregnant cow. When she first became a Veterinarian, she worked on a dairy farm. One night she got a call from the farmer. The pregnant cow had given birth to a calf. However, when she came in to be milked in the mornings, she had very little to no milk.  Of course, this puzzled the farmer. At this time, this particular farmer, allowed the cow to give birth in the field, as it was more sanitary.  Within a day or so, the farmer discovered that the mother cow had given birth to two calves. This cow had been impregnated many, many times over her life. And each time, her calf was taken away. This time, she had two. She decided to keep one hidden in the woods, to go out and feed him daily, and she would let the farmer take the other calf.  Of course, Dr. Cheever, begged and pleaded that the farmer allow her to keep her calf , just this one time, after all the babies she had to see taken away.  But the farmer didn't agree,as this is not a matter of the heart, but of profits. While this story is heart breaking it also provides a glimpse into the maternal affections of a mother from another species.

This is not the only story of its type. There are many other stories of mother cows on dairy farms bellowing out wildly to try to find their babies and running after cattle trucks as they take their babies to separate farms.
Babies are taken away from their mothers everyday, so that humans can have milk. The males are sold as beef, veal being a by-product of the dairy industry, with about one million calves being used for veal. Female cows are kept to take their mothers places once she is worn out and her milk production declines.

Drinking milk, eating ice-cream, gorging on cheese - is what keeps this cycle of misery and torment going round and round. It brings up several questions we should be asking ourselves - who are we as humans, to impregnate another being? Impregnate yearly, take away her calf, so that we may drink the milk instead of her baby? Further, why would we wean ourselves off of our mother's milk to then become dependent on milk from another species? Milk which actually does not do our body good - understanding the downfalls of dairy.

For me, the answer is simple - we do not have the right to enslave, impregnate, and separate mother and child, for any reason. Especially, for a calves milk put into a glass for human consumption.  

 Watch this heart warming reunion!

extend your compassion by millions and billions!

Tufted Titmouse

One of the things we have always loved most about our home, is the screened-in deck, that extends off the dining room. However, there are times, like this morning that the love wanes. A tufted titmouse, a bird I enjoy watching, was trapped inside. While there are two doors that lead to the outdoors, the large (12X12) screened area and high ceiling can be quite tricky to a bird. Luckily, after several failed attempts to help, the bird found the doorway to freedom. I cheered the bird on as he/she flew to the highest treetop.

Most all of us are very compassionate when it comes to one being that is in distress or discomfort. It has always baffled me though, how our compassion seems to lessen as the numbers increase. We can detach when large amounts of individuals are involved since our brains cannot wrap itself around massive numbers. As we try to visualize hundreds of thousands, millions, billions - we just shutdown.

I have been following the recent incident of the 50,000 hens that were left to starve to death. It is my hope that they did not live or die in vain. For me, this story brought home the realities even deeper of  what I already knew about factory farming -  it is cruel without doubt or exceptions. The contrast is vivid as you watch the rescued hens able to scratch dirt, build nest, dust bathe, bask in the sun, and perch for the FIRST time ever! Doesn't that sound odd to you? The natural behaviors of a being, the very behaviors they were built to perform, denied for their entire lives.

  Animal Place and Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary coordinated the largest farm animal rescue in California history. More than 4,400 hens were pulled from A&L Poultry in Turlock, California after the owner left the hens without food for more than two weeks. Sign the petition to prosecute the Owner, Andy Keung Cheung

In factory farms, hens are placed cramped and crowded, in  battery cages. Sharing the cage with other hens this give each individual the the space of a sheet of paper (8.5 X11) which is actually ONE FOURTH the MINIMUM space they require (4 square feet).  So, what kind of space would 50,000 hens need as a MINIMUM to perform their basic natural behaviors? 250 acres or 100 city blocks. But yet, they are crammed into a shed. Additionally, they are not able to spread their wings, peck,scratch the earth, and never see or feel the light of the sun. These types of denials cause beings to go insane, literally, as it goes against all they are genetically made-up to do.

Can you imagine spending your entire life with your arms folded or legs crossed never able to extend them? Would you allow your companion animal to live in a cramped cage, not able to turn around, stand up, groom itself, never seeing daylight? NO! Because it is beyond cruel. Yet, we allow these acts to happen in our country, to BILLIONS of animals daily as they are raised and slaughtered for food.

Unfortunately, there are no federal laws to protect farmed animals from cruelty. The industry makes it's own rules and their practices quickly become industry standards and norms. Cruelty cases such as the 50,000 hen's case are not rare - they have become the industry standard.  As consumer's we give a "thumbs-up" to cruelties such as these every time we make a purchase of an animal based product. Supply and demand. Choose an alternative, extend your compassion today, and consider a plant-based diet. You can  Get a Free Starter Kit to help you begin. All individuals have the right and are deserving of living out the lives they were built to live; whether that is wagging their tail, folding their arms, bathing in dust, or flying to the highest tree top. 

Turning Vegan - "change happens"

Sometimes we set out to make changes in our lives. Mostly, because we think it is something we should do, or something we shouldn't do. We change jobs, go back to school, get married, start exercising. The list goes on and on. But sometimes, change happens without any thought at all. Something or someone speaks directly to our heart and there is no need for a "decision". Our lives are immediately different. That is how my life changed, I read a book without having any inclination of what the outcome would be for me.

I had been a Vegetarian for over five years. It started really through a New Year's Detox which consisted of beans, rice and vegetables (if I remember correctly). The Detox was for 2 weeks which at that time in my life, um, let's say I was not the poster child for healthy living. At the end, I just noticed, that I really didn't miss animal meat. WOW! You mean, you can actually have a meal that does not consist of any type of meat. YES! So, I shared with my husband that I was not going to start eating meat again and see how it would go. He of course declared "Well, don't expect me to not eat meat!". So it began. As time went on, being an animal lover, I felt pretty self assured that I was doing enough by not eating animal flesh. However, I was never compelled to dig deeper. Vegetarians were few and far between in my life. God only knew what a VEGAN was - I had never heard the word!

In April, I became familiar with the term vegan. Living dairy and egg free seemed like a very noble cause... BUT why would anyone give up dairy? I mean, the animal gets to live. No harm no foul, right? WRONG!
My vegetarian self-righteousness all came tumbling down the moment I decided to read Farm Sanctuary - Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food , May 28th 2011.

In Farm Sanctuary, Baur provides a thought provoking investigation of the ethical questions involved in the production of beef, poultry, pork, milk,and eggs -- and what each of us can do to stop the mistreatment of farm animals and promote compassion. He details the triumphs and the disappointments of more than twenty years on the front lines of the animal protection movement. And he introduces us to some of the special creatures who live at Farm Sanctuary -- from Maya the cow to Marmalade the chicken -- all of whom escaped horrible circumstances to live happier, more peaceful lives. Farm Sanctuary shows how all of us have an opportunity and a responsibility to consume a kinder plate, making a better life for ourselves and animals as well. You will certainly never think of a hamburger or chicken breast the same way after reading this book.

While much of the content was upsetting for me, there were the stories of hope, of the animals that had been rescued and rehabilitated.  Despite being upset, I could not put this book down. My mind was hungry for the truth and my heart was hungry for healing. I cried quite a bit. I ranted even more. Some of it was shock. Some of it was guilt. Some of it was shame. Much of it was heart break. However, one thing was FOR CERTAIN, in the midst of reading this book, I was NOW a VEGAN FOR LIFE! What does that even mean? Being vegan is not a DIET. It is not some exclusive club for hippies eating granola. It is a lifestyle.      A lifestyle of practicing mindfulness, compassion, and of causing the least harm. This is a work in progress as is anything in life. However, it all begins with being an informed consumer and aligning your values with your behaviors. Shaved armpits are optional.