HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
Hope you had a fun and animal-friendly celebration of all things ghoulish and creepy >:D
~The Vegetarian Cat
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Make-up & Costumes >:)
When dressing up for Halloween, I really want to commit to whatever character I'm portraying (usually a black cat). The hair, makeup, and costume must work together to create a believable image, haunting or enticing onlookers. Maybe both. Here are some budget-friendly tips for many different looks:
- Create everything from smoky, seductive vampire eyes to zombie freak shows with just a few simple eye shadow colors in your repertoire. Black and white can be used to create depth, while the primary palette allows you to mix and blend to achieve desired colors.
- Basic black eye liner is awesome for drawing attention to eyes, but can also be used for whiskers, black noses, stripes, or scars.
- Need a hair color fix? For light-haired people, try using Kool-Aid to change your locks. Simply submerge hair in water for about 15 minutes with two packets of powder. It will wash out easily with the next shower. I recommend lemon-lime for Medusa-goers.
- For intense lip colors, mix lip gloss with eye shadow and apply liberally. For scarier looks, the lips can even be outlined in eye liner.
With the right coupons, these makeup purchases are very cost effective, more so than costume make-up packs Halloween stores sell. The same can be said for costumes. Creating your own look from clothes in your wardrobe or fabric around the house can typically make a more realistic outfit than what you see online. Great examples are:
- The classic Grecian look. Know anyone with even a hint of design/sewing talent? Then that white bed sheet is your new toga. Cotton is easy to cut and drape while being affordable. Project Runway contestants are always draping clothes, and YouTube is full of videos about how to get the perfect toga look. Pair the toga with some strap sandals and a wreath of leaves from a craft store to tie the costume together.
- Mermaids. Yeah, it can be cold during October, but some girls (and guys) just need to get their fish/human duo on for Halloween. Again, craft stores are your friend. Using an old swimsuit top, sew or glue (depending on what type of shells you buy) store-bought shells onto the fabric. Shimmery, fish scale fabric can be used to create the tail or simply draped as a flowy skirt.
- 80's. Everybody knows someone who grew up in that era. They can't hide from the clothing choices they made, from the side-high ponytails to neon colored pants and shirts. Some are probably still closet junkies, desperately clinging to paint splattered stirrup pants while popping their collars in a million directions. The point is, ask these people if they have their old clothes. Once you've got the outfit, just match the hair, makeup, and shoes to the look. I'm thinking crazy mohawk, electric blue eye shadows, and untied black Chucks.
Looking for tasty recipes so far this season? My favorite fall foods/drinks are hot chocolate, apple cider, cranberry bread, and lightly pumpkin spiced drinks/breads. Pepperidge Farm just released a new (vegetarian) pumpkin swirl bread that looks tasty. Apple sales are popping up at every store, so now is the time to prep butters, jams, and sauces for storage. Here's a quick and yummy recipe for apple cider that I love to drink hot with a cinnamon stick.
Hot Wassail
1 quart apple juice (freshly juiced or Simply apple brand)
1/2 c. each of lemon and orange juice
Cinnamon, sugar, and clove to taste
Mix ingredients in pot on stove and heat thoroughly. Serve with cinnamon sticks for serving.
And by the way, be on the lookout for this new Halloween flavor of Kool-Aid. I can't find it anywhere :(
~The Vegetarian Cat
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Let October Commence!
OCTOBER! <3 ! <3 !
October is my favorite month of the year (with December being a very close second). Orange, red, and yellow explode from the trees while squirrels race around backyards, nibbling acorns and squandering away their winter stash. Although, to be honest, what really makes this month puuurfect is Halloween. Costumes, make-up, candy. Horror stories. Who doesn't love black cats and pumpkins? Well, in honor of my favorite month, I will post awesome treats, recipes, and upcoming coupon deals every single day.
*Product of the Day*
Fall and Halloween Lip Smackers! Every year, Lip Smackers releases limited edition flavors to tantalize your lips with ghostly pleasure. From Cobweb Cookie to Caramel Apple, each concoction tastes very similar to the name. Witches' Brew is my weakness, resembling a retired summer flavor called Calypso Punch. These Fall and Halloween sets can be found on the Lip Smackers outlet site for about $1.50. I great deal, even without a coupon!
~Vegetarian Coupon Deals~
HyVee 9/28 - 10/4
- Dole Natural Salad Blends $.99
- HyVee Green Beans or Corn $.39
- 50% Kellogg's Cereal
- HyVee Peanut Butter $.99
- HyVee Pasta 3/$2
- Midwest Country Fare frozen veggies $.88
Walgreens 10/2 - 10/8
- Nature Valley Granola Bars 6-pack, $2 wyb 2
* Combine with $1/2 Q from Wags Oct. Booklet
* Final cost: $1 per box
[Note: I recommend doing most of your shopping at Target, because I find the best selection and prices to combine with my coupons. Also, if you apply for their REDcard you save an additional 5%. Target also takes off $.05 from the transaction total for every reusable bag.]
+++Harvest Gifts+++
For vegetarians and thrifty consumers, shopping with the season allows for affordable meals with nutritious and tasty fruits and vegetables. Apples, pumpkins, potatoes, yams, broccoli, spinach, and winter squash are available in abundance at most grocery stores. Apples and pumpkins are healthy vehicles for autumn desserts and pastries, as well as soups, salads, and sauces. If buying produce sold by item (like $2.99 per pineapple), make sure to weigh what you intend to buy. Sometimes you can find heavier bags for the same price, which equals savings for you.
Start planning those Halloween costumes!
AND HAPPY WORLD VEGETARIAN DAY :D
~The Vegetarian Cat
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Banana Bonanza!
Bananas are awesome! Not only are they high in potassium and vitamin A, but they also have an abundance of natural sugars for energy. As a pre-exercise food, bananas are a great choice. Monkeys know what they are doing when they chow down on these yellow fruits. Here are some tasty vegetarian recipes easily adapted for vegans as well.
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 stick unsalted butter or margarine
- 2 large eggs or egg replacer
- 3 ripe bananas
- 1 tablespoon coconut, rice, almond, soy, or dairy milk
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I like a little extra)
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease 9x5x3 loaf pan with butter or cooking spray. Cream together sugar and butter, then add eggs. In a separate bowl, mash bananas with milk and cinnamon. Add to sugar mixture and blend on medium speed just until blended. Add dry ingredients and blend or stir until flour disappears. Pour batter into loaf pan and bake for about 1 hour. Insert a toothpick; if it does not come out clean, bake an extra 5 - 10 minutes. Cool for about 15 minutes, then remove loaf from pan and continue to cool before slicing.
Extra notes: Adding walnuts would be a great idea for this recipe, since they are rich in omega-3. I warm my slices in the microwave for about 20 seconds and spread with butter or honey. Even though the bread is dense and somewhat cake-like, I bet it would make delicious french toast as well.
Mix 'n Match Smoothies
(2 servings)
1 cup of coconut milk
1 ripe banana
1 cup ice cream, soy cream, or frozen yogurt
A few tablespoons peanut butter
Handful of dark chocolate chips
5 or 10 strawberries, depending on size
Squirt of honey
These smoothies can really be made to suit any palate. Just add whatever ingredients sound good at the time, but make sure to always have a liquid and thickener such as the banana or ice cream. Depending on how thick or thin you want the smoothie, change the amount of liquid. Simply add the chosen ingredients to the blender, whirl away, and drink your delicious creation, hopefully including a banana :D
Grilled Bananas
Prep the grill. Once hot, place a few bananas on the grate until the skin starts to split. Pull back the peel and enjoy caramelized banana nirvana. The bananas can also be slice open before grilling, cut lengthwise and slathered with a mixture of honey and cinnamon on the exposed flesh. Grill until the skin splits away from the flesh and serve as is or with cold ice cream.
Coupon Cat's Veggie Deals of the Week 5/22 - 5/28
Target
Morningstar Products $3.00 each
Total Cost: $1.50 each when you buy 2 boxes of burgers or patties
Hy-Vee (through 5/24)
Dole All Natural Premium Classic Salads $.99
Barilla Pasta $.99
Exotic Mangoes 2/$1
Stemilt Fuji Apples $.99/lb
Green Bell Peppers $.59 each
Green Giant Russet Potatoes $1.88/lb
Simply Juice $3.29
Green Giant Canned Vegetables $.88
Hy-Vee Dried Fruit or Trail Mix 2/$3
Sunkist Organic Lemons 2/$1
Cal-Organic Farms Organic Yellow Carrots $1.69/16 oz. bag
Jumbo Zeal Navel Oranges $.99/lb
Sweet Artisan Red Onions $.59/lb
Rice or Soy Dream Drinks 32 oz. 2/$5
(Yes, I know it's a lot of produce, but these are good deals for fresh fruits and vegetables which rarely have coupons attached to them)
While it would be difficult to explain all of the details of couponing in one go, I can at least describe the basics for any newbie. I coupon at Target, Hy-Vee, Walgreens, and CVS. Whatever store you choose, make sure you print and understand their coupon policy. Depending on the store, you can either use only one coupon per item or multiple coupons as long as they are different types like a manufacturer's coupon or Target coupon. Invest in the Sunday paper, at least one every Sunday until you really get the hand of everything. The idea is to match up the sale prices of different stores to the coupons in the paper or online to get the best deals. Great online websites for coupons include Target, Smartsource, RedPlum, and Coupons.com. But remember, you can only print two of the same coupon per computer.
I see couponing as a way to save money for other things I want in life. Even if you only save $5 a week, small amounts really add up to big savings. Some of my savings go toward buying items that I normally don't have coupons, such as produce. I will gladly clip 10 coupons to buy cereal and pay less than $1 a box if that means I can afford to buy apples, oranges, strawberries, and raspberries in a single trip (this Vegetarian Cat loves her fresh fruits and veggies after all). On most of my trips, especially to Walgreens, I save over 50%.
We are all just bananas, waiting to be peeled. I just hope I make it to that classy glass dish aside scoops of chocolate ice cream, adorned with whipped cream, nuts, and a few cherries. Not on the grimy alley asphalt, causing some dolt to slip and hit his bald head. Just saying.
~The Vegetarian Cat
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Back For Summer: Thoughts and Cake Pops
College always has a way of zapping time, creating an inescapable vortex of homework, cramming, and exams. But I'm finally finished [at least for now] until I decide my next move on this crazy pathway. I picture mine to be littered with sand and seashells, perhaps a hermit crab crossing between my feet while cats frolic all around me. I mean, I am the Vegetarian Cat after all, cats are everywhere in my perfect world.
I've formed and forgotten so many ideas, only to find myself at the keyboard, desperate to purge my mind of aching anxiety and pretty ponderings. In my last post, I vented heavily about animal rights, a rant I plan to continue, but this time attacking with facts and figures, not raging emotion. Despite my feelings being a great virtue to the cause, intense anger mostly leads to people thinking animal rights activists are lunatics without reason. That's just not true. Although my feelings and thoughts stem from my own sense of morality, I can also look at society and point out the flaws in the system, how animal cruelty simply adds to a decrease in overall happiness. But this is for another blog entry, after I have enough time to completely research each of my arguments. For now, I will continue to post yummy vegetarian recipes and cruelty-free products that I adore to hopefully amp up your recipe box and hygiene cabinet.
In the past few months, I have become addicted to couponing, donning another nickname: Coupon Cat. As a [previous] college student, money tended to be tight, and my spending habits could have been a bit better. But now, coupon binder safely tucked under my arm whenever I go to the store, I save a lot of money, averaging about 50% worth of savings every time. And that's sticking to my vegetarian lifestyle! An awesome place to start is at KCL, they have taught me so much about couponing. Each week, I will share with you the best vegetarian deals around the country for all of the top stores, including Target [my favorite], Hy-Vee, Walgreens, and CVS.
Recently, I have been going through a lot of stress and anxiety. A few weeks ago, I lost someone very close to me, an experience that continues to put tears in my eyes and a veil over my heart. Dealing with loss is never easy, and the only comfort I find rests in the words of my mother, a permanent guiding light in my life. The regret I have felt almost outweighed the sadness, wishing I would have been there more, asking myself why I didn't call more often or visit. The constant rehash is deafening, a torture chamber of crying fits and urges to turn back time. And despite now understanding more about life, about seizing the day and doing what you love every moment, I can't fill the empty space inside, not with anything.
Although minimal in comparison, my stress continued with moving out of my lovely little college apartment after 4 1/2 years. For me, too much stress equates to a build-up of anxiety, which leads to tummy troubles and in this case, acid reflux. I've researched a few ways of relieving stress, the number one result being exercise. That means putting more miles on my bicycle [I am an ecogeek after all]. Taking proper vitamins, veggie ones of course, helps too, along with eating a proper diet full of greens and drinking about half of one's body weight in water per day. Blogging also helps me relieve stress, because the words I write often express how I am feeling, definitely an outlet for negative and positive vibes alike.
Now, on to the recipe I cooked up last night and today. I love sweets, perhaps a bit too much, and Starbucks Birthday Cake Pops are creamy, cute, and cookie doughy [yes, I know they are cakes]. So, I hunted around the web for a cake pop recipe and stumbled upon strawberry cake pops coated in chocolate. I simply baked a strawberry cake mix according to the package, let it cool, mixed in one container of cream cheese frosting until it formed a dough, and chilled overnight. The next morning, I rolled the dough in balls, chilled for about an hour in the refrigerator, and coated them in melted milk and white chocolate. Sprinkles where then applied liberally before another trip to the fridge. Most boxed cake mixes are already vegan, so using an egg substitute will keep the treats free of animal-derived ingredients.
The product I want to spotlight today is the vision enhancement vitamin by Gaia Herbs. I tend to have higher pressure in my eyes, and this vitamin contains ingredients to benefit eye health, such as lutein and bilberry. The capsule is derived from vegetable cellulose with vegetable glycerin inside. I take one capsule per day along with my other veggie vitamins.
=^. .^= Critter Watch (* o *)
Polydactyl Cats! My city's humane society randomly has a large number of polydactyl [extra-toed] cats up for adoption. They are super adorable and just as lovable as any other feline. Humane societies mostly run off of donations and thus depend on community support to feed, clean, and shelter these animals. With my couponing, I have been able to get free pet supplies, including dog and cat food. If you can, please donate to your local animal shelters; they really need and appreciate the help.
Time has a way of running from my fingertips, but I will try to keep this blog updated from now on. Stay cruelty-free, animals need all the love they can get!
["When destiny calls you, you must be strong. I may not be with you, but you've got to hold on. You'll be here in my heart, always." Always, Grandpa.]
I've formed and forgotten so many ideas, only to find myself at the keyboard, desperate to purge my mind of aching anxiety and pretty ponderings. In my last post, I vented heavily about animal rights, a rant I plan to continue, but this time attacking with facts and figures, not raging emotion. Despite my feelings being a great virtue to the cause, intense anger mostly leads to people thinking animal rights activists are lunatics without reason. That's just not true. Although my feelings and thoughts stem from my own sense of morality, I can also look at society and point out the flaws in the system, how animal cruelty simply adds to a decrease in overall happiness. But this is for another blog entry, after I have enough time to completely research each of my arguments. For now, I will continue to post yummy vegetarian recipes and cruelty-free products that I adore to hopefully amp up your recipe box and hygiene cabinet.
In the past few months, I have become addicted to couponing, donning another nickname: Coupon Cat. As a [previous] college student, money tended to be tight, and my spending habits could have been a bit better. But now, coupon binder safely tucked under my arm whenever I go to the store, I save a lot of money, averaging about 50% worth of savings every time. And that's sticking to my vegetarian lifestyle! An awesome place to start is at KCL, they have taught me so much about couponing. Each week, I will share with you the best vegetarian deals around the country for all of the top stores, including Target [my favorite], Hy-Vee, Walgreens, and CVS.
Recently, I have been going through a lot of stress and anxiety. A few weeks ago, I lost someone very close to me, an experience that continues to put tears in my eyes and a veil over my heart. Dealing with loss is never easy, and the only comfort I find rests in the words of my mother, a permanent guiding light in my life. The regret I have felt almost outweighed the sadness, wishing I would have been there more, asking myself why I didn't call more often or visit. The constant rehash is deafening, a torture chamber of crying fits and urges to turn back time. And despite now understanding more about life, about seizing the day and doing what you love every moment, I can't fill the empty space inside, not with anything.
Although minimal in comparison, my stress continued with moving out of my lovely little college apartment after 4 1/2 years. For me, too much stress equates to a build-up of anxiety, which leads to tummy troubles and in this case, acid reflux. I've researched a few ways of relieving stress, the number one result being exercise. That means putting more miles on my bicycle [I am an ecogeek after all]. Taking proper vitamins, veggie ones of course, helps too, along with eating a proper diet full of greens and drinking about half of one's body weight in water per day. Blogging also helps me relieve stress, because the words I write often express how I am feeling, definitely an outlet for negative and positive vibes alike.
Now, on to the recipe I cooked up last night and today. I love sweets, perhaps a bit too much, and Starbucks Birthday Cake Pops are creamy, cute, and cookie doughy [yes, I know they are cakes]. So, I hunted around the web for a cake pop recipe and stumbled upon strawberry cake pops coated in chocolate. I simply baked a strawberry cake mix according to the package, let it cool, mixed in one container of cream cheese frosting until it formed a dough, and chilled overnight. The next morning, I rolled the dough in balls, chilled for about an hour in the refrigerator, and coated them in melted milk and white chocolate. Sprinkles where then applied liberally before another trip to the fridge. Most boxed cake mixes are already vegan, so using an egg substitute will keep the treats free of animal-derived ingredients.
The product I want to spotlight today is the vision enhancement vitamin by Gaia Herbs. I tend to have higher pressure in my eyes, and this vitamin contains ingredients to benefit eye health, such as lutein and bilberry. The capsule is derived from vegetable cellulose with vegetable glycerin inside. I take one capsule per day along with my other veggie vitamins.
=^. .^= Critter Watch (* o *)
Polydactyl Cats! My city's humane society randomly has a large number of polydactyl [extra-toed] cats up for adoption. They are super adorable and just as lovable as any other feline. Humane societies mostly run off of donations and thus depend on community support to feed, clean, and shelter these animals. With my couponing, I have been able to get free pet supplies, including dog and cat food. If you can, please donate to your local animal shelters; they really need and appreciate the help.
Time has a way of running from my fingertips, but I will try to keep this blog updated from now on. Stay cruelty-free, animals need all the love they can get!
~The Vegetarian Cat
["When destiny calls you, you must be strong. I may not be with you, but you've got to hold on. You'll be here in my heart, always." Always, Grandpa.]
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Animal Rights Rant: Part I
The other night, I read something online and immediately cried before I finished the only sentence. The picture was in reference to euthanizing pets when they become too sick. At the veterinary hospital, the doctor will always give a choice to the owner about whether or not they want to be in the room when the shot is delivered. In the picture were cats and dogs, each adorned with a halo and pair of wings. The one sentence said, "Always choose to stay in the room, they look for you once you leave." I couldn't stop my mind from jumping to those horrible scenes of saying goodbye to a pet. A pet is never just an animal that's nice to have around - not to me. They become part of me, another creature I can connect with and talk to just like I would with another person. Except the bond between my pets and me is deeper, existing on a level that two people can never share. I feel their absence all of the time, wishing I could hear their cute meows over and over. But this image in my head traveled further, the image of sad animals looking around for someone to help them. Many animals around the country, around the world, suffer alone and in pain. The entire moment made me think about many things I have puzzled over before concerning animal rights and my vegetarianism. Am I really doing enough in my life to benefit these suffering animals?
I can list off a huge number of industries destroying animals' lives and causing them pain worldwide: factory farming, the fur trade, testing laboratories. . . it goes on and on. But my mind, my heart, can't handle all of it at once. I can't face each day knowing that while I enjoy my morning bowl of cereal, puppies around the country go without food as they are imprisoned within puppy mills. I can't focus during lecture when I picture the slaughterhouses where cows and pigs line up to die, the exact image of a concentration camp. And I can't sleep at night if I even dare to ponder how many rabbits will be skinned and sliced in the name of science. Well, it's not science - it's murder. But like I said, I can't think about it all at once. It's too heart wrenching, especially when I can't do anything about. . .
But then I thought, what can I do about all of this animal suffering? I'm a vegetarian, that's enough, isn't it? No, it's not. It's really not. Every time I purchase eggs or dairy or products from a company with their hands in the meat industry, I support their efforts. It's the wrong message. So why am I not vegan? I'm not really sure. I could take the easy way out and blame my diet on other people or say that it would be too expensive to purchase groceries for a vegan diet with a college student's budget. Maybe that would be partially true, but in the end, I can only blame myself. I do have to give myself some credit though, trying my best to buy only cruelty-free household products, ranging from shampoo to lip gloss. Becoming a full-fledged vegan is my next step, but will that be enough?
I started this blog in hopes of alleviating the pressure on my chest, thinking that I alone have to be the savior of animals. But the reality is that I can't complete such a huge task alone. People have been fighting for animal rights for years, before I even thought about a vegetarian lifestyle. So there is no reason to take the burden upon myself or expect everything to change even within my lifetime. My dream would be a complete vegan world, but while I love to imagine that type of future, my realistic side knows how unrealistic of a goal that actually is when considering people. Some cultures are so deeply rooted to ever change the food passed down through generations. While the youth constantly shake things up with new ideas, some families will never change, no matter the nationality.
While I can't change everything, there are some things I can do simply from my computer. I have recently been researching past animal welfare bills, observing which were passed and recording those that were defeated. The Puppy Protection Act of 2001 was first on my list, noticing that some Iowa senators and representatives actually co-sponsored the bill when it came to a vote. So I emailed both senators and the district representatives about the Puppy Protection Act, urging them to reintroduce the bill. And I will keep emailing, discussing defeated bills and other ideas for reform that I want to see completed in Iowa and on the national level. They might not listen, but I will constantly have things to say, ideas to share, and eventually, someone will hear me out and fight for these causes with as much vigor as I wish I could right now.
I adore animals. I respect and love them, never wanting to hurt a single paw, feather, or scale. So it's very difficult for me to accept other people who don't share my point of view. I'm the first one to think you are a hypocrite (although I probably won't say it) if you say you love animals, yet still choose to eat them. I don't accept excuses like, "It tastes too good," or "I was raised that way." Those are cop-out responses. My boyfriend likes to say that makes me elitist, thinking my vegetarianism makes me better than other people. But I honestly think it does. I never want to put the importance of an animal's life above or below mine. We both feel pain and have the right to our lives. I have no right to take the natural right of life away from any animal, whether they are furry, feathered, or hominid. My life is based on selflessness, not selfishness.
I don't aim to make enemies with what I believe, I just want honesty. So I honestly do wonder if people know where their food comes from. By now, it is well known the dangers of the popular food in America. Fast food, processed sugar, trans-fats, MSG, and lists of chemically-concocted ingredients that I can barely decipher using my organic chemistry knowledge (however minuscule it may be). But do people really know where their meat comes from? Do they know that veal is made by placing calves in straight jackets and not letting them move their entire lives until they are slaughtered at the tender age of twelve months? Would people eat chicken if they knew every bird carcass is allowed by USDA standards to have 15% of its weight made up of fecal soup? (Chickens are dunked in a water bath during processing, allowing fecal matter, blood, and vomit to fall into the water. The water is not changed between washings, and the next bird to get a bath then absorbs the water, creating a fecal soup). Do families realize that gestation crates for female pigs raised on pork farms are barely large enough to fit the mother, let alone her new piglets? Just imagine what it would be like to take the place of any of these animals. If you honestly couldn't bare the conditions, how can you force this on another creature, fully capable of feeling pain? And if you don't care at all, that makes you a horrible person, comparable to Hitler and slave owners.
Animals are what give my life meaning, inspiration, and hope. My pets are my family, tied to me beyond a blood link or name. I'm not perfect in my ventures toward improving animal rights, but this long road doesn't require perfection, only a caring heart and determined state of mind. I'm also not asking for conversion, knowing that during my years of vegetarianism, I have not been able to convince anyone to uphold a cruelty-free lifestyle. I just want people to listen, to give up the comfort of their ignorance and see the truth. Once we identify all of the atrocities occurring within animal industries, maybe we can finally make the majors steps to eliminate the suffering of millions of animals.
For the love of animals,
~ The Vegetarian Cat
I can list off a huge number of industries destroying animals' lives and causing them pain worldwide: factory farming, the fur trade, testing laboratories. . . it goes on and on. But my mind, my heart, can't handle all of it at once. I can't face each day knowing that while I enjoy my morning bowl of cereal, puppies around the country go without food as they are imprisoned within puppy mills. I can't focus during lecture when I picture the slaughterhouses where cows and pigs line up to die, the exact image of a concentration camp. And I can't sleep at night if I even dare to ponder how many rabbits will be skinned and sliced in the name of science. Well, it's not science - it's murder. But like I said, I can't think about it all at once. It's too heart wrenching, especially when I can't do anything about. . .
But then I thought, what can I do about all of this animal suffering? I'm a vegetarian, that's enough, isn't it? No, it's not. It's really not. Every time I purchase eggs or dairy or products from a company with their hands in the meat industry, I support their efforts. It's the wrong message. So why am I not vegan? I'm not really sure. I could take the easy way out and blame my diet on other people or say that it would be too expensive to purchase groceries for a vegan diet with a college student's budget. Maybe that would be partially true, but in the end, I can only blame myself. I do have to give myself some credit though, trying my best to buy only cruelty-free household products, ranging from shampoo to lip gloss. Becoming a full-fledged vegan is my next step, but will that be enough?
I started this blog in hopes of alleviating the pressure on my chest, thinking that I alone have to be the savior of animals. But the reality is that I can't complete such a huge task alone. People have been fighting for animal rights for years, before I even thought about a vegetarian lifestyle. So there is no reason to take the burden upon myself or expect everything to change even within my lifetime. My dream would be a complete vegan world, but while I love to imagine that type of future, my realistic side knows how unrealistic of a goal that actually is when considering people. Some cultures are so deeply rooted to ever change the food passed down through generations. While the youth constantly shake things up with new ideas, some families will never change, no matter the nationality.
While I can't change everything, there are some things I can do simply from my computer. I have recently been researching past animal welfare bills, observing which were passed and recording those that were defeated. The Puppy Protection Act of 2001 was first on my list, noticing that some Iowa senators and representatives actually co-sponsored the bill when it came to a vote. So I emailed both senators and the district representatives about the Puppy Protection Act, urging them to reintroduce the bill. And I will keep emailing, discussing defeated bills and other ideas for reform that I want to see completed in Iowa and on the national level. They might not listen, but I will constantly have things to say, ideas to share, and eventually, someone will hear me out and fight for these causes with as much vigor as I wish I could right now.
I adore animals. I respect and love them, never wanting to hurt a single paw, feather, or scale. So it's very difficult for me to accept other people who don't share my point of view. I'm the first one to think you are a hypocrite (although I probably won't say it) if you say you love animals, yet still choose to eat them. I don't accept excuses like, "It tastes too good," or "I was raised that way." Those are cop-out responses. My boyfriend likes to say that makes me elitist, thinking my vegetarianism makes me better than other people. But I honestly think it does. I never want to put the importance of an animal's life above or below mine. We both feel pain and have the right to our lives. I have no right to take the natural right of life away from any animal, whether they are furry, feathered, or hominid. My life is based on selflessness, not selfishness.
I don't aim to make enemies with what I believe, I just want honesty. So I honestly do wonder if people know where their food comes from. By now, it is well known the dangers of the popular food in America. Fast food, processed sugar, trans-fats, MSG, and lists of chemically-concocted ingredients that I can barely decipher using my organic chemistry knowledge (however minuscule it may be). But do people really know where their meat comes from? Do they know that veal is made by placing calves in straight jackets and not letting them move their entire lives until they are slaughtered at the tender age of twelve months? Would people eat chicken if they knew every bird carcass is allowed by USDA standards to have 15% of its weight made up of fecal soup? (Chickens are dunked in a water bath during processing, allowing fecal matter, blood, and vomit to fall into the water. The water is not changed between washings, and the next bird to get a bath then absorbs the water, creating a fecal soup). Do families realize that gestation crates for female pigs raised on pork farms are barely large enough to fit the mother, let alone her new piglets? Just imagine what it would be like to take the place of any of these animals. If you honestly couldn't bare the conditions, how can you force this on another creature, fully capable of feeling pain? And if you don't care at all, that makes you a horrible person, comparable to Hitler and slave owners.
Animals are what give my life meaning, inspiration, and hope. My pets are my family, tied to me beyond a blood link or name. I'm not perfect in my ventures toward improving animal rights, but this long road doesn't require perfection, only a caring heart and determined state of mind. I'm also not asking for conversion, knowing that during my years of vegetarianism, I have not been able to convince anyone to uphold a cruelty-free lifestyle. I just want people to listen, to give up the comfort of their ignorance and see the truth. Once we identify all of the atrocities occurring within animal industries, maybe we can finally make the majors steps to eliminate the suffering of millions of animals.
For the love of animals,
~ The Vegetarian Cat
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Hungry Cats of All Kinds
I get hungry a lot, anywhere from five to ten times a day. Nothing really sticks (except hot, cheesy, pineapple pizza), so I often find myself snacking quite a bit. It can be difficult to find so many different things to eat, especially those that are vegetarian friendly, but hopefully this list will generate some new ideas for daily snack attacks.
~ Apples & Peanut Butter - I know, it's not the most original idea, but the combination of sweet fruit and salty peanuts satisfies most of the time. Try using Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter swirled with a little caramel for a delicious dip.
~ The Preston - Stolen from a childhood friend, this sandwich consists of a blueberry bagel, topped with a fried egg, slice of cheese, and a piece of veggie bacon (if you want a salty crunch). This could easily be made using vegan ingredients, depending on what your local grocery store has in stock. To make the snack healthier, use only egg whites and fry in non-stick spray.
~ Yogurt Smoothie - Your favorite yogurt + frozen fruit + a splash of juice = a vegetarian delight in a cup. Make sure the yogurt is gelatin-free! One of my faves: strawberry yogurt, frozen mango, and some orange juice.
~ Toast! - Bread can be combined with anything and be yummy. Peanut butter pairs well with Nutella, mango jam, and bananas. The salty route can lead to CLT's (cucumber, lettuce, and tomato), topped with a bit of mayo or mustard.
~ Pasta + Veggies + Sauce - With its quick cooking time, pasta can definitely be a snack, just watch portion size. Penne with white sauce and broccoli can quickly become Alfredo, and marinara with mushrooms and mozzarella adds flavor and meatiness to spaghetti.
CRITTER WATCH =*_*=
Ocelots are small, spotted felines who typically dwell in South and Central America. They are independent and territorial animals, congregating only to mate or possibly share a nice tree nook with a fellow ocelot of the same sex. Body sizes range from 2.5 - 3 feet, while the tail adds another foot or so. Ocelots' nocturnal nature give them an advantage over prey, especially with their keen odor tracking abilities and night vision. While ocelots are known to eat deer, lizards, birds, and fish, most of their diet is comprised of small mammals. Perhaps the most famous ocelot, Babou, belonged to Salvador Dali, the Spanish painter known for The Persistence of Memory, a painting featuring melting pocket watches.
Product of the Day
Olive oil is great for cooking, but also acts as a moisturizer for dry skin and an efficient make-up remover. I'm a fan of eyeliner (the darker, the better), which can be difficult to remove. Simply dip a Q-tip into a small amount of olive oil, and swipe across any eye make-up for a clean skin. Make sure not to get any oil in your eye.
As always, live cruelty-free and think about what you can do to make a difference in every animal's life.
~ The Vegetarian Cat
~ Apples & Peanut Butter - I know, it's not the most original idea, but the combination of sweet fruit and salty peanuts satisfies most of the time. Try using Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter swirled with a little caramel for a delicious dip.
~ The Preston - Stolen from a childhood friend, this sandwich consists of a blueberry bagel, topped with a fried egg, slice of cheese, and a piece of veggie bacon (if you want a salty crunch). This could easily be made using vegan ingredients, depending on what your local grocery store has in stock. To make the snack healthier, use only egg whites and fry in non-stick spray.
~ Yogurt Smoothie - Your favorite yogurt + frozen fruit + a splash of juice = a vegetarian delight in a cup. Make sure the yogurt is gelatin-free! One of my faves: strawberry yogurt, frozen mango, and some orange juice.
~ Toast! - Bread can be combined with anything and be yummy. Peanut butter pairs well with Nutella, mango jam, and bananas. The salty route can lead to CLT's (cucumber, lettuce, and tomato), topped with a bit of mayo or mustard.
~ Pasta + Veggies + Sauce - With its quick cooking time, pasta can definitely be a snack, just watch portion size. Penne with white sauce and broccoli can quickly become Alfredo, and marinara with mushrooms and mozzarella adds flavor and meatiness to spaghetti.
CRITTER WATCH =*_*=
Ocelots are small, spotted felines who typically dwell in South and Central America. They are independent and territorial animals, congregating only to mate or possibly share a nice tree nook with a fellow ocelot of the same sex. Body sizes range from 2.5 - 3 feet, while the tail adds another foot or so. Ocelots' nocturnal nature give them an advantage over prey, especially with their keen odor tracking abilities and night vision. While ocelots are known to eat deer, lizards, birds, and fish, most of their diet is comprised of small mammals. Perhaps the most famous ocelot, Babou, belonged to Salvador Dali, the Spanish painter known for The Persistence of Memory, a painting featuring melting pocket watches.
Product of the Day
Olive oil is great for cooking, but also acts as a moisturizer for dry skin and an efficient make-up remover. I'm a fan of eyeliner (the darker, the better), which can be difficult to remove. Simply dip a Q-tip into a small amount of olive oil, and swipe across any eye make-up for a clean skin. Make sure not to get any oil in your eye.
As always, live cruelty-free and think about what you can do to make a difference in every animal's life.
~ The Vegetarian Cat
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