Newsletter Archive 2008
January
Newsletter Archive
2006
January * February * March * April * May * June * July * August
September
news from the
Marin Vegetarian Education Group
Vegan Potluck Brunch and optional hike
Saturday, September 13
11:00 for hike
12:45 for potluck only
San Rafael address provided when you RSVP
On Saturday, September 13, Alicia Robb of Bay Area Vegetarians will be hosting a hike and vegan food party (potluck) brunch in her San Rafael home. There is no cost to attend, but RSVPs and a dish to share are required. Go to http://bayareaveg.org/rsvp.htm?id=1972 to RSVP. Or e-mail Alicia at alicia@fsdinternational.org.
Join us for an adventurous, short hike, followed by a vegan potluck brunch at Alicia’s beautiful, hillside home in San Rafael.. The address will be provided when you RSVP.
Meet up at 11:00 at Alicia's house, drop off your potluck items, and join us for a hike in the China Camp/Open Space area of San Rafael. It will be about a 90 minute hike. Please show up at 12:45 if you'd prefer not to hike and just want to attend the brunch. We will reheat and prepare food and eat at 1 pm. It is a challenging climb, so bring tennis shoes or hiking shoes. And please note: the hike will start promptly at 11:00.
Promised for the brunch so far are Erin's tantalizing French toast, Alicia's mushroom stroganoff, and other delicious vegan dishes. Please bring a vegan dish to share for 8.
RSVP and send the name of the dish you'll bring. Go to http://bayareaveg.org/rsvp.htm?id=1972 to RSVP. Or e-mail Alicia at alicia@fsdinternational.org. All RSVPs will be confirmed with the address where the potluck will happen.
Thanks to Alicia for organizing this event.
Good-bye for now to Dr. Rick Dina
At the end of September, Drs. Rick and Karin Dina will close their current
chiropractic practice so they can focus on teaching vegan nutrition full
time. They will continue to work independently and with Living Light Culinary
Arts Institute, as well as several other venues that are both underway
and still in the development phase. So the La Plaza conference room era
will be over after a 5 year run.
Rick and Karin plan to open a new practice in the next 2 to 3 years, and will probably be in Sonoma County then.
Please join me in thanking these two extraordinary health care practitioners for their generosity to Marin VEG over the last five years. And share with my most sincere congratulations on their dedication to teaching people to live well and eat well, as well as on their next step in their professional lives.
Can You Help Us Find a Meeting Room for October 12?
One of our most popular speakers will return on Sunday, October 12 for
a talk with the Marin Vegetarian Education Group. Dr. Steve Blake, creator
of one of the world’s largest data bases of natural remedies and author
of Healing Medicine and Vitamins and Minerals Demystified, will be talking
about Fats, Oils, and the Vegetarian Diet. But we do not have a meeting
space yet.
Please help us find an appropriate meeting room in a recreation center, church, office building or other public place. We want to welcome Dr. Blake with a large enough room to hold an enthusiastic audience of at least 30 people. If you know how to contact the right person at a possible location, (Having a kitchen would be nice, but is not required.) please call Patti at 415 459 1666.
My new book coming in September
My new book, How to Eat Like a Vegetarian, Even If You Never Want To Be
One, co-authored with Carol J. Adams, will be published by Lantern Books
in September. This is a book for anyone who wants the benefits of a plant
based diet, but thinks he doesn't have the time. The book includes more
than 250 shortcuts, tips, hints, and strategies that make meals and snacks
a snap. The book can be pre-ordered at Amazon.com right now, at a discount,
and will ship in the middle of September. Plan to celebrate with me at
any or all of these events:
Saturday, September 27, 7 PM Book Passage in Corte Madera, The Gallery
Space
October 4-5 World Vegetarian Day in San Francisco (time of cooking demo
to be announced; visit www.SFVS.org for details)
October 6, tasting and talk at Fairfax Public Library
October 19 Potluck Vegan Food Party at Alicia Robb’s house in San Rafael
to celebrate the book.
Brighter Green and China’s Challenges
Mia MacDonald, under the auspices of her new non-profit organization Brighter
Green, has just compiled an extensive report on China's environmental,
human health, animal welfare, and food security challenges in the wake
of their adoption of the Western meat-intensive diet and intensive farming
of animals. The introduction has even been translated into Chinese. This
is the first in a series of papers that will look at the same phenomenon
of globalization in Brazil, India, and Ethiopia, coming Fall 2008.
To read the report, visit
http://www.brightergreen.org/files/brightergreen_china_print.pdf
Learn more about BrighterGreen at their web site: http://www.brightergreen.org/n.php?id=23
Cat Adoptions
If you are thinking of adopting a cat, The Marin Humane Society is reducing
its adoption fees and adoption behavior consultations more than $100 until
September 7. Visit MarinHumaneSociety.org or call 883-4621 for more information.
EarthSave Still Going Strong
At one time the Marin Vegetarian Education Group was a chapter of the
national organization EarthSave. This terrific not for profit is still
alive and well and publishes a wonderful, newspaper a few times a year.
Articles in the current issue cover everything from the chemicals in popular
processed foods to the cost to the environment of cloth and disposable
diapers. John McDougall, John Robbins and Alan Goldhamer are all frequent
contributors.. Membership is $35 a year for individuals and $50 for families.
Send your tax deductible donation to EarthSave International, PO Box 96,
New York, NY 10108
Sierra Magazine
The September-October issue of Sierra magazine rates the top 10 colleges
in the United States on how green they are. While organic and locally
grown foods are mentioned, there is no mention of which schools offer
vegetarian and vegan meals in their dining halls. The magazine faults
schools that require students to drive to campus, but ignores the fact
that eating a plant based diet is one of the best things we can do for
the environment.Write to Sierra magazine to point out their blind spot:
E-mail Sierra.letters@sierraclub.org.
Yes On Prop2
With the election only two months away, now is the best time to remind
people to vote Yes on Prop. 2 on the November ballot. This modest measure
stops cruel and inhumane treatment of animals, ending the practice of
cramming farm animals into cages so small the animals can’t even turn
around, lie down or extend their limbs. This is decidedly not a vegetarian
issue, but one of common sense and kindness to animals. It is endorsed
by The Humane Society of the United States, Center for Food Safety, the
California Veterinary Medical Association, the Union of Concerned Scientists,
United Farm Workers, Cesar Chavez Foundation, and dozens of other organizations.
If you want to see all the endorsements for Yes on Prop 2, visit www.YesOnProp2.com. And remind every voter you know in California to vote YES on Prop. 2.
August
news from
The Marin Vegetarian Education Group
No Meeting in August
There will not be a meeting in August, but there is plenty going on throughout
the Bay Area. Check www.BayAreaVeg.org for restaurant outings, potlucks
and opportunities to leaflet, write letters, and speak up for animals.
There is a veg outing on August 25th (monday), see www.bayareaveg.org
for more info.
Patti's New Book Coming in September
How to Eat Like a Vegetarian – Even If You Never Want to Be One, is being
published by Lantern Books in September. This is my new book (Patti Breitman)
with Carol J. Adams, and it is the ideal gift for anyone who wants to
eat more vegetarian meals or snacks, but who thinks it takes too much
time. Anyone who prepares meals for a vegetarian - or who is already a
vegan or vegetarian - will find the book helpful as well.
I will be signing books at Book Passage in Corte Madera on Saturday, September 27 at 7 PM, and doing a cooking demonstration at World Veg Day in San Francisco during the day on October 3 and 4th. And the book can be pre-ordered now at Amazon.com. It will ship in September. Anyone who has been a vegetarian for a long time will enjoy the recipes, shortcuts and the 25 lists in the book (such as 10 Ways to Eat More Greens; 10 Things to Know Before You Go Grocery Shopping, and 10 Time Saving Tips). Of course the entire book is vegan, but we want to appeal to the widest possible audience, so the title uses the longer V word. John Robbins, Howard Lyman, Rory Friedman and Dr. Neal Barnard have all endorsed the book. Mark your calendar now for Sept. 27 and October 4-5, and have a look at the cover and endorsements at www.LanternBooks.com.
Diet and Greenhouse Gases
Thanks to Patrick Sullivan of Mill Valley for his wonderful letter to
the Pacific Sun this week. It talks about the terrible impact a meat based
diet has on the global climate crisis. He points us to a terrific web
site: www.CoolYourDiet.org. This is an information packed site that explains
and expands on the United Nations Food and Agriculture report that found
that animal agriculture accounts for 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions
that cause global warming. In his same letter, Patrick also reminds us
that Compassion Over Killing’s site, TryVeg.com includes recipes, advice,
support, and information about why it’s a good idea to leave the meat
off the plate.
New DVD Debunks Protein, Soy and Fish Myths
Dr. John McDougall has a new DVD for sale that debunks pervasive myths
about fish, soy and protein. The DVD is available from his web site, www.drmcdougall.com
and costs $24.95 plus shipping and handling. The DVD addresses three tenacious
myths: That plants are incomplete proteins; that soy makes people sick,
and that fish is good for the heart. If you need to invoke an M.D. in
your arguments with meat eaters, this is a a great source of authority
and knowledge.
While you are on Dr. McDougall’s web site, be sure to read his newsletter. All the archived newsletters are there as well as the new August one, and well worth reading.
A Plea from Animal Place
Animal Place asked me to share the following announcement:
Three roosters and ten hens need new digs and fast! They are on the lam, ready to start a new life somewhere safe. We rescued them a year ago from a sad situation and they're ready to move off of their probationary period at Animal Place and into a permanent home.
Can YOU give these "unusual cluckspects" a new home? Know someone
who can? Send this off to your friends and family. Post it on your myspace
or blog - spread the message that The Unusual Cluckspects are looking
for their forever home!
Available as a group or individually, these birds will show of their superb
weeding and gardening skills, and make wonderful companions to the chicken-loving
family.
If you can provide a home for any of these birds, or know someone who
can, please contact Marji at Animal Place: Marji@AnimalPlace.org, or call
707 449 4814 .
The VegNews Polls Are Open
VegNews magazine has opened the polls for the 2008 survey of the best
places, people and products of 2008. Vote for your favorite restaurants,
celebrities, and products by going to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm/kh_2bW3o9fkbEWraGcnM9Q_3d_3d
Sample Podcast CD now Available
Compassionate Cooks’ Colleen Patrick Goudreau is offering a CD compilation
of her most popular and helpful podcasts for just $1 each. You must order
10 or more, but this is a $10 investment worth making. You can give these
away to your friends and watch as their hearts open and their habits change.
Colleen receives dozens of letters every month from people whose lives
have been touched and changed from her podcasts. Visit www.CompassionateCooks.com
to order the CD. Many thanks to Colleen for speaking out with so much
compassion and eloquence for farmed animals.
Yes on Prop. 2
It is not too soon to mark your calendar for November 4 – Election Day
- to remind yourself to vote Yes on Proposition 2. This modest proposition
would require that laying hens, gestating pigs and veal calves be given
enough room to turn around and stretch their limbs. It is sad, but true
that this is not the case today. Please, please please visit www.YesOnProp2.com
to learn more about why this is vitally important for California’s farmed
animals. The California Veterinary Medical Association endorses this proposition
along with the Humane Society of the U.S., the Sierra Club, many consumer
groups, and even small family farmers. If you can make a donation at the
site, you can help counter the more than $10 million being spent by the
factory farm egg industry to try to defeat the measure. Any help you can
give now will help the Yes on Prop. 2 campaign with tv ads in October
and November. And if you can talk with everyone you know about why it
is vital to vote yes on prop. 2, it will make a difference in the lives
of millions of animals. This is not a vegetarian issue. Everyone believes
that animals should not be treated inhumanely, including animals raised
for food. Vote Yes on Prop. 2 and help spread the word.
**********************************************************************************************************************************
To contact us, write to VegetariansInMarin@earthlink.net or call 415-459-1666
.
We appreciate contributions of any size. We will thank you for a contribution
of $20 or more with a 1-year subscription (or a 1-year
continuation of a current subscription) to VegNews magazine. Send contributions
to Marin Vegetarian Education Group, 12 Rally Ct., Fairfax, CA, 94930.
To be removed from this mailing list, please send an e-mail with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
July
Newsletter from the
Marin Vegetarian Education Group
Worth Watching
Mark Bittman, who writes the Minimalist column for The New York Times,
gave a wonderful talk about the industrialization of food, the demise
of home cooking, and the impact of our eating habits on the planet’s air,
water and global warming. While he does not advocate a vegan diet, he
urges listeners to cut way back on meat, eliminate fast food, and eat
more fruits and vegetables. You can hear this inspiring talk at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YkNkscBEp0
Can You Help Us Post Events?
If you are reading this and have an extra five minutes a month, please
volunteer to post our events – when we have them – on Craigslist and on
Bay Area Veg. Call Patti at 459 1666 to volunteer. It’s the easiest volunteer
job you can ever hope to find, and it has the potential to reach new people
who want to learn more about a plant based diet, but don’t know where
to start. Thank you!
Holistic Pet Tips
If you have a cat or dog, you may want to sign up for Ali’s Pet Tips,
a once a month (sometimes twice a month) email with holistic pet tips.
This is a free service that includes all kinds of tips for keeping your
companion animals happy and healthy.
To subscribe send an email to a_s_Phillips@animail.net Type 'subscribe'
in the subject line and also within the body of email. Also, include your
city and state to avoid excess regional mailings which do not apply to
your geographical location.
Here is one holistic pet tip from a recent email: Trouble with shedding?
Lubricate your dog's coat with a small amount of olive oil or coconut
oil every 10 days and say good-bye to expensive products and ingredients
you sprinkle on food.
New Web Site Counters Myth of Humane Meat
The creators of the extraordinary film The Witness have launched a new
web site to counter the meat industry’s efforts to promote “humanely raised
meat.” Visit www.HumaneMyth.org to see the overwhelming evidence that
animals suffer when they are raised and killed for food. This is an impressive
and comprehensive web site, and it can help us respond wisely to people
who claim that they only eat “humanely raised meat.” HumaneMyth.com is
dedicated to truth, transparency, and integrity in Animal Advocacy.
Vegan Potluck For Humane Farming: July 27th
Alicia Robb is extending the following invitation to everyone who cares
about animals:
You're invited to my Vote Yes For Farm Animals event on Sunday, July 27 from 4 pm to 7 pm. I hope you'll come and participate in the nationwide conference call with animal protection leaders, and help make my party a success.
I'm helping to raise much-needed funds for Californians for Humane Farms -- the Yes for Farm Animals Campaign. Every contribution helps me reach my personal fundraising goal.
Just click the link that follows to RSVP. You can make your donation
online to the campaign at the same time.
For more details about this invitation and to RSVP online, go to: http://www.party2win.com/humanecalifornia/parties?e=veganpotluck4humanefarming&userid=163659
At my party, we'll dial in to the nationwide conference call with other Vote Yes for Farm Animals events across California. Please RSVP now so you don't miss out on the fun. If you cannot attend, I understand, but please consider making a contribution anyway to help me reach my fundraising goal and to help WIN for Farm Animals on November 4th!
Thank you and I hope to see you July 27!
Alicia
P.S. Contributions or gifts to Californians for Humane Farms are not tax deductible. Your donation will be used to help us win this campaign and alleviate the suffering of 20 million farm animals in California.
Healing Cuisine
Right here in Marin County we have a resource that can help anyone learn
how to shop, cook, and eat in a way that supports health and satisfies
even the most demanding palate. Healing Cuisine offers private and public
cooking classes, nutrition counseling, market tours and more. Additionally
for $60 a year (or $30 for six months) you can sign up for Healing Cuisine’s
Health E-Club. You will receive a weekly e-mail with culinary tips and
health information, a monthly report with in depth diet and health news
plus a seasonal menu with both quick and gourmet recipes. Membership also
brings a 25% discount on cooking classes and nutritional counseling sessions.
To learn more about Healing Cuisine and the Health E-Club, go to www.HealingCuisine.com
I hope you have a wonderful summer!
*************************************************************************************************************************
To contact us, write to VegetariansInMarin@earthlink.net or call 415-459-1666.
(No one will respond until July 7, but your message will be received.)
We appreciate contributions of any size. We will thank you for a contribution
of $20 or more with a 1-year subscription (or a 1-year
continuation of a current subscription) to VegNews magazine. Send contributions
to Marin Vegetarian Education Group, 12 Rally Ct., Fairfax, CA, 94930.
June
News from
The Marin Vegetarian Education Group
Tree Huggers!
We had a great time at our Deer Park picnic in May, and we even hugged
some trees. You can try this game at your own picnic over the summer.
It inspires laughter and a new appreciation for trees, our breathing partners
on Earth.
Pair off and have one partner tie a blindfold on the other. Then the sighted person carefully leads his blindfolded partner to a tree. The blindfolded person tries to get to know the tree by touching it, walking around it, smelling it. Then the sighted person carefully leads him back to where they started. The blindfold comes off and the tree hugger must then find the specific tree he was getting to know. This can be easy or it can be challenge, and the participants at our picnic were all very good at finding their tree.
Thanks to all who shared wonderful food and good company at this picnic.
The Usual Suspects: New Restaurant in San Francisco
BayAreaVeg (www.BayAreaVEG.org) reports that there is a new vegetarian
restaurant in San Francisco. On Broadway, just off Montgomery in the North
Beach/Telegraph Hill neighborhood, it is called the Usual Suspects Cafe.
This diner is becoming popular for its vegan versions of familiar food.
If anyone has a chance to go there, please let us know what you think.
The Usual Suspects
450 Broadway
(between Kearny St & Montgomery St)
San Francisco, CA 94133
415 434-4444
Open Tuesday through Saturday, 8AM – 10 PM
Oprah and The Sierra Club
You have probably heard that Oprah has begun a vegan diet for 21 days.
She is following the advice of Kathy Freston, author of Quantum Wellness,
and the internet has been buzzing with news of Oprah giving up animal
products.
What you may not have heard is that The Sierra Club, which usually shies away from the food connection to the environment, finally is recommending a vegan diet for the environment's sake. The Sierra Club publishes a daily newsletter called The Green Life, Daily Tips for Living Well and Doing Good. On May 27 they asked their readers to try a vegan lifestyle because Oprah was doing it. In that day’s email the newsletter said, “Raising animals for meat is one of the most environmentally destructive practices, according to a 2006 report published by the United Nations. The report calls raising animals for food “one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global.
“If Oprah can do it, don't you think you can too? Who is ready to try out the vegan lifestyle?”
Thank goodness for this division of the Sierra Club for telling the truth about the impact of animal agriculture's affect on our environment. To read their daily newsletter, go to http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife/
Current Events from a Vegetarian Perspective
The newsletter VegE-News offers a terrific summary of world wide news
about animals, the food industry, the environment and plant based diets.
It is like an electronic Readers Digest, but only with stories about vegetarianism.
The following piece, excerpted from The Washington Post, was in their
May issue. To subscribe to VegE-News go to http://www.lholmesassociates.com/cgi-bin/veg/nologo/nologo_newsletter_subscribe.pl
Major new U.S. report targets costs of factory farming
Factory farming takes a big, hidden toll on human health and the environment,
is undermining rural America's economic stability and fails to provide
the humane treatment of livestock increasingly demanded by American consumers,
concludes an independent, 2 1/2 -year analysis that calls for major changes
in the way corporate agriculture produces meat, milk and eggs. The report
released [April 29], sponsored by the Pew Charitable Trusts and Johns
Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, finds that the "economies
of scale" used to justify factory farming practices are largely an
illusion, perpetuated by a failure to account for associated costs. Among
those costs are human illnesses caused by drug-resistant bacteria associated
with the rampant use of antibiotics on feedlots and the degradation of
land, water and air quality caused by animal waste too intensely concentrated
to be neutralized by natural processes.
Washington Post - April 30, 2008
Congratulations to VegNews Magazine
Once again, VegNews magazine has been awarded a great honor. At the 57th
annual Maggie Awards--the nation's largest and longest-running magazine
recognition honors--VegNews was named "Best Lifestyle Publication"
by the Western Publisher's Association. This is the third time VegNews
has won a Maggie award, and the first time for being the best overall
lifestyle magazine. Thanks to Joseph Conellly and Colleen Holland for
producing such a wonderful magazine – where being vegan is celebrated
and portrayed as the norm. And congratulations to them and the entire
staff of VegNews on getting the recognition they deserve.
PCRM’s Good Medicine
The current issue and ten years of back issues of Good Medicine magazine
from the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine are available
on line. Visit www.PCRM.org/magazine to read the good news of progress
being made in medical schools and animal laboratories around the world.
PCRM provides – free of charge – a copy of their Nutrition Guide for Clinicians
– to every second year medical school student in the United States. Consider
making a contribution PCRM. It's one of the few organizations educating
future medical doctors about the power of plant based eating for health.
Their philosophy is that prevention is better than treating disease and
that good medicine does not include torturing animals in medical schools,
laboratories or in the food industry. A gift membership starts at only
$20, so treat someone who needs to hear about the science behind vegan
diets to a year of PCRM membership.
Do It For Yourself and For Cows, Chickens and Pigs
If you have not yet subscribed to the Compassionate Cooks’ monthly free
e-newsletter, do yourself a favor and sign up! (http://www.compassionatecooks.com/join.htm)
In my opinion, her column “This I Know” is among of the best written,
most persuasive, most honest series of essays on animals and food published
anywhere. The following is a recent column.
Essay - This I Know
RECLAIMING COMPASSION
Articles about "humane meat" continue to appear in all manner
of media, and I won't pretend it doesn't bother me. In fact, it drives
me to distraction. Proponents of "humane meat," an oxymoron
if I ever heard one, have even given themselves a name: "compassionate
carnivores."
The excuse-itarians have come up with some brilliant justifications for dining on animals, including the rubbish that "we're simply participating in the 'food chain' just like all other animals. Last time I looked lions didn't breed gazelles and raise them in order to kill them. That's what humans do: create an artificial system of birth and death and then appeal to the "food chain" argument to romanticize their consumption.
They also contend that they purchase their meat from "farmers" who love their animals and treat them with kindness and compassion. I can't help but wonder: If it's so compassionate to hug a lamb three times a day before slitting his throat, isn't it even more compassionate to hug a lamb three times a day and NOT slit his throat?
For those whose throats are not slit by the loving hand of their caretaker, they are betrayed by being sent to a slaughterhouse. Very few "farmers" have "USDA-approved" kill floors, and when they are allowed to kill the animals themselves, it is generally birds - not mammals - who die by their hands. The picture they paint make it seem as if there is some special, gentle place that "humanely raised" animals go to die, but the truth is that they go to conventional slaughterhouses, and the abuse that takes place in slaughterhouses is endemic and inherent. I promise you that the desensitized slaughterhouse workers don't treat "humanely raised" animals with kindness and reserve their cruelty only for "conventionally raised" animals.
The other point excuse-itarians like to make is that if we stopped eating domesticated farmed animals, they would go extinct. In response to the notion of lab-grown meat, the New York Times wrote, "it will be a barren world if the herds and flocks disappear in favor of meat grown in a laboratory tank." Now, leaving aside the issue of meat grown in a petri dish, I wonder how selfish you have to be to bemoan the abolition of a system that exists only to harm others - just so humans can derive pleasure from seeing herds and flocks of animals (as if they're even seeing them now).
All of these are just excuses we create and lies we tell ourselves so
that we can have our meat and eat it, too. Unfortunately, millions of
people live by these lies, while billions of animals die by it - each
and every day. It's up to each one of us to dispel these lies when we
have the opportunity. Write letters to the editor, talk to co-workers,
hold people accountable. The animals are counting on us to speak for them.
If not you, then who? If not now, then when?
By Colleen Patrick Goudreau, from www.CompassionateCooks.com
Animal Place Still Needs Contributions
Many thanks to Tiffany R. For opening her beautiful home for a fundraiser
for Animal Place in May, and to the generous people who already sent a
check to support this wonderful educational farmed animal sanctuary. Animal
Place is moving from a 60 acre facility to a 590 acre ranch which is more
accessible to school busses and much better able to welcome and house
rescued animals. To ensure that the funds they raise in the future can
go toward educating the public about animals on factory farms and to the
rescued animals, they need to make a significant down payment on this
new ranch. If you have not yet made a contribution, please consider sending
one now. Visit www.AnimalPlace.org or send a check to Animal Place, 3448
Laguna Creek Trail, Vacaville, CA 95688
May
news from the
Marin Vegetarian Education Group
Picnic Sunday, May 25 in Deer Park, 1:00 PM
The Marin Vegetarian Education Group will meet for a picnic potluck lunch
in Deer Park in Fairfax on Sunday, May 25 at 1 PM. Come meet friends and
make some new ones in a beautiful, shaded grove on the right side of the
parking lot. Bring a vegan dish to share (enough for 8 servings), a serving
utensil, your own plate, cup, and utensils. Deer Park is at the end of
Porteous Road. Take the Bolinas Road in Fairfax past the stop sign at
Cascade. Bear left and make the first left onto Porteous. If you see the
Deer Park Villa restaurant, you just missed the left turn onto Porteous.
Water will be provided. Bring your favorite beverage if it's not water.
There is no cost for this picnic, so bring your friends, too!
Animal Place Taking a Huge Step Forward &
Needs Our Support
Animal Place, the education center and farmed animal sanctuary in Vacaville
has a unique opportunity to educate vastly more people and help hundreds
more animals than they can now. And we have a unique opportunity to help
make it happen.
Currently on 60 acres, much of it steep hillside at the end of a dirt rode, Animal Place is in a mudslide zone and has restricted parking, construction prohibitions and no indoor learning center. Additionally, water is limited and they must contend with drying wells, rationing, and desalinization of the available water.
The organization is buying a new property near Grass Valley that provides 590 acres of usable land off a paved road that already had barns and a farm center that is perfect for expansion. Buses can enter safely, so school children can visit by the busload, a huge increase over the number of students who can visit by car. The new facility has irrigated pastures, decreasing fire risk, and ponds that will provide homes for geese and ducks. For the first time, Animal Place will be able to grown their own hay on their own property. The new location will include a barn for incoming and sick animals, and education pavilion for seminars and special events, and housing for resident animal caretakers and interns. Best of all, the land will allow Animal Place to respond responsibly when rescue operations or natural emergencies call for new homes for farmed animals.
The price tag for this new facility is a bargain, given the cost of land in California. Still, it costs more than two million dollars, and Animal Place now needs to raise an additional seven hundred thousand dollars to close the deal. A generous donor has agreed to match up to $250,000 in contributions so we can double the power of our donations if we act before June 1. There are two ways to do this.
You can send a check directly to Animal Place: 3448 Laguna Creek Trail,
Vacaville, CA 95688. If you want to make a contribution by credit card,
you can visit www.AnimalPlace.org and click on Donate Now at the top of
the page, or call Animal Place at 707-449-4814.
.
Additionally, for people who might be inclined to make a substantial contribution, there will be a small fundraising house party in a private home in Mill Valley on Friday, May 23 in the evening. If you would like an invitation to this event, an opportunity to learn more about the new facility and the financial details, or if you know someone who loves animals and may feel generous, please send an email with a mailing address and email address to Kim Sturla (KimSturla@aol.com) or call her at the number above, and an invitation will be sent. Animal Place welcomes any and all potential donors at this event.
Incidentally, the Marin Vegetarian Education Group is contributing $250 to Animal Place toward their exciting new home, so heartfelt thanks to all of you who have been generous to us in the past.
There is no better way to teach children and adults about caring for animals than to invite them to hold a chicken, stroke a cow, or give a belly rub to a pig. Seeing empty gestation crates and chicken cages has a tremendous impact when birds and pigs are walking with you as you learn about factory farming. Few people who have had the pleasure of cavorting with rescued animals will want to continue to eat them. Animal Place is hugely successful in introducing people to real animals in a setting that allows the reality of animals’ lives to make a lasting impression.
No contribution is unimportant. Small donations add up. Thank you for being as generous as you can and helping to make this dream for rescued farm animals come true.
Marketplace Dinner in Berkeley
Barry Shenker’s next market place dinner is Friday, May 16 at 5:00 PM
at the historic Hillside Club in Berkeley. Barry has created an interesting
Pan Asian menu which you can help prepare. Or you can just show up to
socialize and eat! You can see the menu and learn more about the event
by going to www.Hillsideclub.org and clicking on May 16 Market Place dinner.
The cost is $25 per person, and seating is limited, so reserve soon.
Happy Anniversary to the Wheats!
May marks the 50th wedding anniversary of two of our most loyal supporters,
Larry and Ann Wheat. Ann is one of the most persistent and effective spokespeople
we know for getting dairy out of our diets. She is a crackerjack volunteer
and her energy and commitment to healthy living are an inspiration. Larry
is a terrific raconteur, brilliant business man, and supporter of so many
good causes it can make anyone feel lethargic. The couple are as compassionate
and wise as people can be, and we extend our hearty congratulations to
them on celebrating 50 years of marriage.
Remember to check Bay Area Veg for more events!
Remember to visit www.BayAreaVeg.org for more outings and events every
month.
Corporate Owners of Organic Farms
I was surprised to learn that so many organic food companies are now owned
by corporate giants. Victoria Boutenko wrote the following Ode to Organic
Farmers. Her newsletters are always interesting and informative, with
recipes and tips for healthy and delicious raw food meals. To sign up
for her email newsletter about raw food and her family's experiences as
raw fooders, visit www.rawfamily.com.
Ode to Organic Farmers
We like shopping at stores that carry organic foods. The organic industry is a fast- growing industry in the United States. We're not the only ones who notice that - large corporations do too. Recently I ran across a unique web site created by assistant professor of Michigan State University,Philip H. Howard, Ph.D. From this web site I learned that my favorite frozen fruit company, Cascadian Farms, is in fact owned by General Mills. I contacted Dr. Howard and he graciously gave me permission to publish his research link. See for yourself; look for your favorite companies at www.msu.edu/~howardp/organicindustry.html
Odwalla- owned by Coca Cola
Naked Juice-owned by Pepsi
Spectrum Organics, Garden of Eden, Celestial Seasonings and others- owned
by Heinz
Boca Foods and Back to Nature- owned by Kraft
Dagoba Chocolates- owned by Hershey
Morningstar Farms- owned by Kellogg
Horizon and White Wave - owned by Dean
Nature’s Farm- owned by Tyson
Annie’s Naturals- owned by Solera Capital
Maranatha- owned by American Capital Strat. Ltd.
Power Bars- owned by Nestle
Seeds of Change- owned by M&M Mars
Prevention of Cruelty To Farm Animals
The ballot measure that eases the lives of farmed animals has gathered
enough signatures to be on the ballot in the November election. Now Californians
will have a chance to vote on whether to provide cages and gestation crates
large enough for chickens, veal calves, and pregnant pigs to turn around
in. The opposition to this ballot has been hiring high priced political
consultants to tear down support for this important ballot initiative.
On Monday, May 5 from 7 to 9 PM at the Marin Humane Society, there will be a meeting to encourage and train volunteers in a Get Out The Vote campaign before the election in support of this ballot initiative. The Humane Society is at 171 Bel Marin Keys in Novato, just East of 101.
If you cannot attend, consider a contribution to the campaign. Humane thinking will be outspent by huge farmers who do not want to provide better conditions for animals, so every dollar helps. Contact https://co.clickandpledge.com/sp/d1/default.aspx?wid=19836 to make a contribution. And to learn more about how you can get involved, write to director@humanecalifornia.org
Organic Athlete
If anyone you know thinks that vegans cannot possibly be competitive athletes,
introduce him to an organization called Organic Athlete. This group of
bicyclists, runners, swimmers, body builders and other athletes is living,
thriving proof that a plant based diet is the best fuel for our bodies.
Visit www.OrganicAthlete.org to learn more about these strong and healthy
vegans. Organic Athlete is hiring an intern in Sebasopol for this summer.
For more information go to http://test.organicathlete.org/blog/715
Hope to see you in Deer Park on May 25. Mark your calendar today!
*********************************************************************
To contact us, write to VegetariansInMarin@earthlink.net or call 415-459-1666.
We appreciate contributions of any size. We will thank you for a contribution
of $20 or more with a 1-year subscription (or a 1-year
continuation of a current subscription) to VegNews magazine. Send contributions
to Marin Vegetarian Education Group, 12 Rally Ct., Fairfax, CA, 94930.
The Marin Vegetarian Education Group
Marin
Cooking Club – First Meeting This Sunday
Do you like to cook with other people? Do you want to get together and
figure out how we can make this happen in Marin?
Julie Motz is looking for is a group of 10 or 12 home cooks and food celebrants who'd like to prepare great meals together on a regular basis, perhaps once a month. If enough vegetarians or vegans want to join, there will be lots of vegetarian and vegan meals planned. Every meal will have at least one vegetarian entree and dessert.
To make communication easier she has started a yahoo group called Marin Cooking Club. Please go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marincooking and join. This way she will be able to post each event to everyone and you can send in posts to let me know if you're coming and what you'll be cooking.
To meet with Julie and to help start this tradition, come to the Farmers Market this Sunday, April 6. She will be standing at the southwest corner of the Farmers Market (nearest the freeway and the Civic Center building) at noon on Sunday, holding aloft (what else?) a wooden spoon. If this isn't enough to allow you to find her, call her that morning on her cell phone at 415 342-1833.
If you can't come on Sunday don't worry. She will send out an email to the whole group afterwards to let you know what we've discussed and decided. You can reach Julie by email: evenings@greengoing.com or by phone: 415 256-2528
Iceberg Lettuce and More from Jeff Novick
Jeff Novick, MS, RD, continues to publish fascinating articles about plant
based nutrition. I want to reprint every one in this newsletter, but space
does not allow that. So I encourage you to sign up for his newsletter
at http://www.jeffnovick.com/content/category/23/97/349/ The current newsletter
has a great piece about iceberg lettuce that was full of surprising information
that was new to me. (Hint: Iceberg lettuce is not as bad as we think!)
You can read all the back issues at this site as well, and I urge you
to look at them.
Jeff serves as the Director of Health Education for the National Health Association and as the nutritionist and dietitian for the McDougall Program in Santa Rosa, California. For almost a decade, Jeff served as the Director of Nutrition at the world renowned Pritikin Center in Aventura, Florida. His writing is clear and his sense of humor is evident even in the most data-filled articles.
Costa Rica in July with Dr. McDougall
Join other healthy eaters this July for an adventure in Costa Rica with
Dr. John McDougall. From July 16 through July 23, you will explore the
treasures of Costa Rica while enjoying delicious, McDougall approved food
at every meal. Space is limited, and earlier trips have filled up quickly.
For more information or to register, contact Carol at carol@drmcdougall.com
or call (800) 941-7111 or (616) 874-8155. You can also read more about
the trip at http://www.drmcdougall.com/adv_costa_2008.html
Gabriel Cousens in Sebastopol
Rawfood Central in Sebastopol will be hosting an event with the renowned
holistic practitioner and author Gabriel Cousens, on Friday, April 25th
from 3 to 6 PM.
For information and tickets go to: http://rawfoodcentralgabrielcousens.eventbrite.com/
For more information about Rawfood Sebastopol, Email Kathryn@rawfoodSebastopol.com,
call (707) 827-3361, or visit www.rawfoodSebastopol.com
The Marin raw food group is no longer meeting, so this would be a good
event for meeting other raw food enthusiasts.
Farm Day A Success
Thanks to Ann Wheat, Elizabeth Heitner and Dottie Bray who helped staff
the table at Marin County’s Farm Day last month. More than 2,000 school
children stopped by our busy booth to try to guess what vegetables were
in the paper bag, by touching them only. Many eight year olds in Marin
had never seen cauliflower, and most had never seen an artichoke.
.Also, thanks to Ina Tabibian who designed our ban bag toss game – in which three baskets, labeled “fiber,” “protein,” and “calcium” would catch broccoli, mushrooms, and potatoes. The “bean bags” came from a wonderful company called Produce for Better Health Foundation, which offers stickers, “tattoos,” bean bags, squeeze balls and more, all shaped like and touting the benefits of fruits and vegetables. They can be reached at www.pbhfoundation.org Fruits and veggies cannot compete with the multibillion dollar dairy and beef industries, but this small group is doing its best.
Lastly, we send thanks to Physicians' Committee for Responsible Medicine for their literature on healthy eating, and the Vegetarian Resource Group (www.vrg.org) for supplying us with placemats, workbooks, and encouragement, as we reached thousands of visitors with the message that eating from the plant kingdom is a great idea.
Marketplace Dinner in Berkeley
Join Barry Schenker on April 25 at 6:00 PM in a beautiful, historic social
club in Berkeley. You can help prepare the dinner or just enjoy the company
of others who like to meet and dine on delicious vegan food. . The ''fabulous''
menu is now posted on www.hillsideclub.org (look for the 4/25 date), and
reservations are required before April 22. The cost is $20 per person.
RSVP to Barry at 510-649-0449
March
News from
The Marin Vegetarian Education Group
Change is the Only Thing We Can Count On
For the rest of this year, The Marin Vegetarian Education Group will be
meeting a few times a year rather than once every month. There are a number
of reasons for this change, and most of them are very encouraging.
First, there are so many vegetarian friendly restaurants in Marin county and the Bay Area that the days when our potlucks were the only way to leave home and eat well are long gone. Also, there are so many people willing to try a vegetarian meal when they are dining with us, that finding good company for a good dinner out is no longer the challenge that it used to be.
Additionally, Bay Area Vegetarians (www.BayAreaVeg.org) is such a well organized and wide ranging group that we can find ways to gather for food or activism, information or companionship simply by reading their events calendar and showing up. In affiliation with Bay Area Veg, Alicia Robb usually coordinates a Marin dinner out every month. Others around the Bay Area offer dinners out, dinners in people's homes, letter writing parties, leafleting opportunities, and educational meetings.
And when the Marin raw food group resumes its monthly potluck picnics in April, there will be a place to share good food with local folks in San Anselmo. (Contact Tara at Tarrawsun@g.mail.com for more information about this mostly raw food group.)
Lastly, the number of people attending our monthly gatherings has been decreasing month by month. Unless we have a terrific speaker, the turnout has been fewer than 20 people. Given the work involved to get these meetings going, and given that in most instances we are "preaching to the choir," we have decided to have fewer meetings.
So when we have the opportunity to present an interesting speaker, or if a season is passing and we have not met in a long time, we will gather to celebrate and learn and dine together. Until then, this monthly newsletter will continue, and I encourage you to sign up also for other excellent monthly newsletters that will keep you informed and involved. These include (but are not limited to Colleen Patrick Goudreau’s Compassionate Cooks (www.CompassionateCooks.com); Dr. John McDougall’s (www.DrMcDougall.com); Bay Area Vegetarians (www.BayAreaVeg.com); Meredith McCarty’s (www.HealingCuisine.com); and the Vegetarian Resource Group (www.vrg.org)
We offer ongoing thanks to Dr. Rick Dina and Dr. Karin Dina for allowing us to meet in the conference room of their offices for so long. Visit www.VitalityWellnessCenter.com to learn more about these terrific advocates for optimum health.
Congratulations to VegNews
Hats off to VegNews magazine! They were declared the winner of the Best
Niche Magazine Design Award at the Texas conference of niche magazines.
Even better than its eye-catching design is the fact that VegNews is packed
with celebrity buzz, recipes, travel articles, and news all focusing on
life as a vegan. If you know anyone who needs some inspiration or validation,
give them a subscription of VegNews. (See below for how to support Marin
VEG and get a free one year subscription.)
Organic Living Made Easy
Congratulations to Meredith McCarty who just signed a contract to write
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Organic Living. Meredith is the founder
and director of Healing Cuisine, and if you are not yet on her mailing
list, you are missing a wonderful resource for recipes, coaching, cooking
classes and more. Visit www.HealingCuisine.com, and sign up for the monthly
e-card.
New Vegetarian Restaurant in Petaluma
A new mostly vegan restaurant called Wild Greens has opened in Petaluma’s
North Plaza Shopping Center. The only person I know who ate there said
that the prices were reasonable for dinner and seemed high for lunch,
and that the food was good, but not remarkable. published reviews on line
(Google Wild Greens and Petaluma) are mixed. I would love to hear from
you and know what you think of it if you have a chance to eat there. Wild
Greens, 55 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, CA 94954; (707) 778-3867.
Why Animals Matter
A book that was published last year makes a compelling argument for why
it is important to speak out on behalf of animals. Why Animals Matter
by Erin E. Williams and Margo DeMello provides an in depth look at what
goes on behind the public face of the pet industry, the meat industry,
the entertainment industry, animal experimentation, the fur industry and
more. Thankfully, each chapter concludes with a section called What You
Can Do, and many of the actions are simple and effective. Example: To
reduce the use of animals in research, education and product testing,
we can consider donating the body of a deceased companion animal to an
Educational Memorial Program (www.educationalmemorial.org). And to stop
killing animals for sport and profit we can ask any “wildlife” or “conservation”
group we belong to if they support hunting. Many do, and we can withdraw
our financial support as we increase the volume on our position through
letters to their magazines and leaders. There are multiple suggestions
for each chapter.
Why Animals Matter is an invaluable primer on the institutionalized cruelty that our society tolerates and supports. And it is a call to actions that will make a tremendous difference in the lives of countless animals every day.
Skinny Bitch
Skinny Bitch and Skinny Bitch in the Kitch are the first vegan books to
attain NY Times bestseller status, and they are very funny. Skinny Bitch
has been the #1 best-selling book on the paperback bestseller list for
months. Skinny Bitch in the Kitch is the follow up with recipes. Skinny
Bitch has an attitude, not doubt about it. Not only the title, but the
subtitle is “in your face” as well: “A no-nonsense, tough-love guide for
savvy girls who want to stop eating crap and start looking fabulous!”
If you can get past the language, the book is hilarious. “If we had a
penny for every time some meathead asked us, ‘So where do you get your
protein?’ we’d be richer than Oprah.”
While advocating for a plant based diet, the authors Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin tell the truth about how animals get from the feedlot and factory farm to the table. They use the gross out method to entice readers to go vegan along with the “do it for your health” message. While the title may be a turn off, the chapter called Poop and the one called The Dairy Disaster are worth the price of the book!
Cooking Class April 3
Mark your calendar now for Patti Breitman's next Fast and Easy Vegetarian
Cooking Class at 7 PM on Thursday, April 3 in Fairfax. Registration is
required through the San Anselmo Recreation Dept. Call 258-4640 or visit
www.townofsananselmo.org/recreation. The class is free to anyone who has
cancer, but you must register regardless. For others the cost is $30 for
a two hour talk, demonstration, and meal at the end of the class. Many
people who have taken the class already plan to return again, so sign
up early to ensure a spot. The address will be provided when you register.
*************************************************************
To contact us, write to VegetariansInMarin@earthlink.net or
call 415-459-1666.
We appreciate contributions of any size. We will thank you for a
contribution of $20 or more with a 1-year subscription (or a 1-year
continuation of a current subscription) to VegNews magazine. Send
contributions to Marin Vegetarian Education Group, 12 Rally Ct., Fairfax,
CA
94930.
To be removed from this mailing list, please send an e-mail with
"unsubscribe" in the subject line.
February
News from
The Marin Vegetarian Education Group
There will not be a meeting in February. Still, there is lots to do: A
free screening in San Francisco this Friday night, Feb. 1, of the HBO
documentary I AM AN ANIMAL about Ingrid Newkirk and Peta; details below.
And remember to Visit Bay Area Veg. For leafleting opportunities, restaurant
outings, social gatherings and other vegetarian activities, remember to
visit www.BayAreaVeg.org every month. You can sign up for a free monthly
newsletter and view the Ultimate Guide, a restaurant directory for veg-friendly
restaurants throughout the Bay Area.
Speak Up for Animals February 1 and 2 at Fort Mason
This coming weekend PETA will be hosting Speak Up for Animals in San Francisco,
and it's not too late to register. Whether you're new to animal rights
or a seasoned activist, you can learn how to help animals at these two
Peta sponsored events.
On Friday, February 1, Peta will be screening I Am an Animal: The Story of Ingrid Newkirk and PETA, an award winning animal rights documentary. On Saturday, February 2, PETA will be hosting a discussion on effective advocacy, answering tough questions, and encouraging people to get involved to help animals.
Screening of I Am an Animal: The Story of Ingrid Newkirk and PETA
Get a glimpse inside the daily life of PETA President Ingrid Newkirk-from
the moment she wakes up, well before dawn, until the end of a long day
spent fighting for the rights of animals. I Am an Animal will give you
an inside look at one woman's lifelong quest to make the world a kinder
place for all animals, and it will inspire you to make a difference in
your community.
When: Friday, February 1, 7-9 p.m.
Where: The Fort Mason Center, meeting room C370
Tickets: Admission is FREE, although donations are always welcome
Speak Up for Animals!
Peta is the host for a lively discussion on animal rights and vegetarianism.
Learn how to be a more effective advocate for animals, and what each of
us can do to make the world a kinder place. You'll also meet like-minded
people in the Bay Area and find out how to get involved with the efforts
of local animal protection organizations.
When: Saturday, February 2, 12 noon-3 p.m.
Where: The Fort Mason Center, meeting room D100
Registration: $10 in advance, $15 at the door
To register go to http://www.peta.org/speakupforanimals.asp. If you have any questions, please write to Peta at SpeakUp@peta.org
Roxanne’s Raw Food is Back
Roxanne's the late, great raw food restaurant in Larkspur may be gone,
but raw food from Roxanne is now available in Woodlands Market, Whole
Foods, The Good Earth, Andronico's and Paradise Markets in Marin. Roxanne
Klein will be making appearances and offering free tastes of new products
in the following Marin County stores:
- Feb. 1: Andronico's at 100 Center Blvd. in San Anselmo from 4:30 to
6:30 p.m.
- Feb. 5: Whole Foods at 340 Third St. in San Rafael from 4:30 to 6:30
p.m.
- Feb. 7: Paradise Foods at 5627 Paradise Drive, Corte Madera from 3:30
to 6:30 p.m.
For more information and upcoming events, go to www.roxannes.com. And
to read the Marin IJ story about this launch of the new products, go to
http://www.marinij.com/ci_8049307?source=most_emailed
Bay Area Vegetarians has their monthly veg outing--it will be at Cafe Gratitude on Feb. 28th at 6:30 in San Rafael. See www.bayareaveg.org for more info and to RSVP..
Vegans May Not (or May) Be Healthier than Vegetarians
In a fascinating and astute analysis of current studies of vegetarian
and vegan lifestyles, Jeff Novick, R.D. (who is lecturing this month at
Dr. McDougall’s Advance Study Weekend; See below) explains why vegan diets
may not lead to longer lives than vegetarian diets. What is most important
in any diet – vegetarian, vegan, or even omnivorous – is that there be
an abundance of plant based foods, as close as possible to the way nature
grew them, and a minimum of processed foods, fatty foods, and junk foods.
I am reprinting only the beginning of his Q & A below. What is not
in Mr. Novick’s newsletter is what he shared with me personally when I
asked if I could reprint his Q & A in this newsletter:
If you were a vegan for animal welfare reasons, would 100% be better?
of course. (though nearly impossible to do so don't fret as almost everything
in this world (including technology) uses animal by products)
If you were a vegan for moral or religious reasons, would 100% be better? of course (depending on your morals!)
If you were a vegan for health reasons, would 100% be better? We don't know. And, we do know that if you are a vegan for health reasons you still have to eat healthy because just being a vegan doesn't mean you are healthier. You have to be on a well planned vegan diet.
This is in keeping with my own belief that compassion for animals is the most important reason to become a vegan. There will always be scientists trying to grow meat with less fat, clone animals for economic gain, create eggs without cholesterol. Through all this "science" animals will be suffering. We can lessen the suffering. That's enough for me.
Here is an excerpt from Jeff Novick's newsletter:
QUESTION: "I am trying to adopt a healthy diet to improve my health and reduce the risk of disease and/or to control it. Is it necessary to be 100% vegetarian to accomplish this? Could similar or the same results be achieved with limited amounts of animal protein (i.e., organic meat form wild salmon, and/or range free chicken breast, and/or egg whites)?”
You ask a great question and if I understand it correctly, you are asking, "Is there any benefit to a 100% plant diet vs. a (let's say) 95-99% plant based diet, assuming both are equally planned to be as healthy as possible?"
Unfortunately, no one knows for sure. There is an abundance of evidence showing that reducing the amount of animal food and increasing the amount of plant food in one's diet brings tremendous health benefits. This is especially true if the plant food is based on unrefined/unprocessed plant foods that are in their more natural state without all the added sodium, refined sugars, saturated fat, hydrogenated fat and/or trans fat often found in processed plant foods. However, I do not know of any evidence supporting the assertion that making it a 100% plant based (or vegan) diet is required in order to achieve optimal health benefits. In addition, there are other non-dietary issues to consider, such as activity/exercise levels and nicotine and alcohol use.
There are some studies, like The China Study, by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, which supports the concept that the less animal food and the more plant foods in one’s diet the better. But interestingly, while some of these studies are often used to defend a vegan diet, none of the studies show that complete abstinence from animal food is best. Why? This is because in many of these studies, there were no groups in the studies that completely abstained from animal foods. Proving less is better doesn't automatically mean that none is optimal, unless, of course, there are studies to prove this assertion, also.
QUESTION: “Are there any studies done on the long-term health and mortality of vegetarians and vegans?”
Yes, there are studies done on vegetarians and vegans on this issue, and the best data comes out of the work done in The Seventh-Day Adventist Church Health Study. Seventh-Day Adventists are a unique population to study in this regard, because they are less likely to smoke and may exercise more than the typical person in the US and many follow a vegetarian diet.
The Seventh-Day Adventist Church Health Study (1), which was funded by
the U.S. National Institutes of Health and was featured on the cover story
of the November 2005 issue of National Geographic magazine, is the only
major ongoing study in the U.S. on the general health and mortality of
vegetarians that I know of. An overview of all the research on the Seventh-day
Adventists can be seen at the website of Loma Linda University.
http://www.llu.edu/llu/health/index.html
This is Patti again: There is much more. I encourage you to read Jeff
Novick’s entire newsletter with his whole answer about vegan and vegetarian
diets at
http://www.jeffnovick.com/component/option,com_letterman/task,view/Itemid,342/id,16/
Jeff Novick to be a Guest Lecturer at McDougall Advanced Study Weekend
February 22-24, 2008 in Santa Rosa
Jeff Novick, R.D., formerly with the Pritikin Center, is going to be one
of the guest speakers at the Dr. McDougall Advance Study Weekend this
month. Jeff is an excellent speaker, lively, informative, compassionate
and wise.
McDougall Advanced Study Weekends are dedicated to broadening the understanding of plant-food based nutrition and conservative medical care. Even though they are called “advanced study,” these educational events are designed for the benefit and enjoyment of those just beginning on the road to better health, as well as medical and nutrition professionals.
Cost for this weekend is $395 pp (includes all meals and education). Room is extra. Sign-up at www.DrMcDougall.com or by writing to Carol at carol@drmcdougall.com; or calling (800) 941-7111 or (616) 874-8155 and talking directly with Carol.
Food and Healing Workshop: Saturday, February 9
How to Have an Appetite You Can Trust
And a Body You Can Love
Do you despair of ever being the weight and size you'd like to be?
Do you find yourself with an irresistible desire to eat - and even overeat
- foods you know are not good for you?
Have you tried exercise, meditation, diets, supplements and pills - and
still can't keep your appetite and your body under control?
In this workshop you will discover the relationship between unhealthy eating and unconscious stress and learn how to relieve stress and anxiety without resorting to food.
WHERE: College of Marin, Kentfield, California
WHEN: Saturday, February 9, 10-5
COST: $93 which includes a $3 materials fee
FOR MORE INFORMATION: email juliemotz@fourenergies.com or call 415 256-2528
TO REGISTER: go to www.marincommunityed.org or call 415 485-9305
JULIE MOTZ, MPH, is an internationally known healer and author who first discovered the significance of prenatal and neonatal experiences while doing healing work in the operating room. For the past eight years she has given workshops and run groups on healthy eating and helped many individuals to change both their diets and their lives. Her book, Hands of Life, has been translated into four languages. She has taught at Columbia, Dartmouth and Stanford medical schools and worked in major medical centers all over the United States. She has been featured in the New York Times Magazine, Prevention, Psychology Today and the Utne Reader where she was named "One of the People who will Change the World in the 21st Century." She has also appeared on "Dateline" "Extra!" CNN, the ABC Nightly News and on national Canadian and French television. Through her non-profit organization, Health's Angels, she works to bring healing to underserved children and their families.
To read an excerpt from her book Hands of Life go to www.spiritsite.com/writing/julmot/
A New Book for Activists
An indispensable guide for anyone who wants to help animals has just been
published. Mark Hawthorne’s new book Striking at the Roots, A Practical
Guide to Animal Activism covers every tool in the toolbox for anyone who
wants to be effective in stopping animal cruelty. From letter writing
to leafleting, from corporate campaigning to using the media, this book
demonstrates that everybody can find a way to speak out in defense of
beings who cannot speak for themselves. You can be shy, you can be scared,
and you can still be effective. Inspiring examples from people who are
changing attitudes, laws, and conditions under which animals are suffering
are included in every chapter.
Bruce Friedrich from Peta wrote the foreword, and leaders from virtually every animal protection organization in the country are featured in the book. Even the appendices are interesting (Appendix A: Recent Milestones for Animals is particularly heartening.)
The book is in paperback from Obooks in paperback for $19.95, but the information and inspiration it provides are priceless. It is available at bookstores or through any online bookstore. Or go to www.StrikingAtTheRoots.com to read more about it and to link to a bookstore.
Two brief excerpts from the introduction:
“People are revolted by animal exploitation – once they learn about it.
So if we can educate people enough so that they can see that their daily
choices are supporting practices that they actually oppose, then we an
change them, one by one. And as more people change, society will change.”
“Being and advocate for animals is not always a popular activity, but that should not dissuade you from doing what is right. Every social movement that had any impact – whether it’s the abolition of slavery, the suffrage movement, civil rights, the child-protection movement or reforms for farm workers – was initially backed by a person or group thought to represent the minority opinion, an those opposed to them tried to provoke the fear that overturning the status quo would lead to chaos: the end of slavery would result in economic ruin, granting women the right to vote or banning child labor would weaken national strength, passing laws against child abuse would dissolve families and so on. Animal rights activists are now hearing the same sort of nonsense from those who profit by abusing animals. According to them, the only way to feed the world, cure diseases or advance scientific knowledge is by using animals. To them, animals are not sentient individuals with their own interests, but commodities to be exploited for human profit, amusement, convenience or taste.”
I am tempted to reprint the whole book here, but that would be illegal! Please read this important book and allow yourself to be inspired on behalf of the billions of animals who need us to be their voice.
Fish in Orange Juice
Tropicana now sells one variety of orange juice called "healthy heart
with omega 3." It actually has tilapia, sardines and anchovy in it.
Orange juice with fish in it! Disgusting! I suspect that many people will
see the "heart healthy with omega-3" and buy it unknowingly.
The ingredients are listed in small print, and there is even a tiny picture
of a fish, but who reads ingredients when buying OJ? Who expects fish
in oj? Of course eating oranges is better than drinking commercial orange
juice, both for our bodies and the planet. But many of us do drink orange
juice, so buyer beware.
Do Not Shop at PetSmart; Tell Them What You Think
New undercover video footage shows that one of PetSmart’s main animal
suppliers is among the worst abusers of animals in an industry that is
consistently abusive. To send an email to PetSmart and to learn more about
the atrocious treatment of animals in the pet store industry, go to
http://getactive.peta.org/campaign/petsmart_investigation?rk=V7XYNp5qsXc0W
From there you can link to the video footage, or not.
A Sacred Duty now on YouTube
A Sacred Duty is 59 minute documentary from Jewish Vegetarians of North
America that shows us how to apply Jewish values to help heal the world.
The film addresses the environmental crisis and how we can respond to
it today with wisdom from the Torah and other ancient texts of Judaism.
With actor Theodore Bikel reading from these sacred texts, the film also
features leading environmentalists, medical authorities, educators, social
activists and animal rights activists from the U.S. and Israel. To view
the film visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9RxmTGHZgE or go to www.Jewishveg.com
to learn more.
Raw Food Potlucks to Resume in April
The monthly raw food pot lucks in San Anselmo are scheduled to resume
in April. For more information about them and about SFLife in San Francisco,
write to Tarrawsun@g.mail.com
January News
The Marin Vegetarian Education
Group
Your Input Needed
Next Meeting: Saturday, January 26 or Sunday, January
27?
We are thinking of changing our monthly gathering from Sunday to Saturday night this month, and would love to hear from you. Would you attend either night? Is one night better than the other? We will announce the date of the meeting the week of January 14 after tallying the responses and confirming the room availability. Send an email to VegetariansInMarin@Earthlink.net or leave a message with your preference at 459-1666. You will not receive a return call, and your email will receive an “out of office” response message, but your vote will be counted.
The meeting will be in San Rafael, a potluck dinner and a talk about new books of interest to vegetarians. All details will be provided before January 18. So vote today!
Farmed Animals Need Your Attention Right Now
As we begin 2008, farmed
animals in California are counting on us to make their lives less miserable. We
have only until February 22 to collect and turn in more than half a million
signatures for the ballot measure that will require veal calves, egg laying hens
and pregnant pigs be allowed enough space in their enclosures to fully extend
their limbs or wings, lie down, stand up, and turn around. It is astounding that
these minimum protections do not exist in California, and this ballot measure is
the only way to change that. (Years of bills that would not pass the legislature
have failed – because of intense industry lobbying.)
If you cannot gather signatures, please consider making a donation to help offset the cost of the campaign. Judy Countryman, a volunteer in San Francisco, has an injury that keeps her from gathering signatures. Knowing she could not contribute through signature gathering, she recently donated $1000 to the campaign to help pay for professional signature gathering. Even with paid signature gathering, Marin County needs more volunteers and financial support, as both are crucial to the effort. How much will you donate or collect for the animals? Every dollar helps, so even if you can send only $5 or $10, do it!
To donate funds go to: www.humanecalifornia.org/donate/index.php .
To collect signatures, go to www.preventcruelty.org to contact your local coordinator and begin collecting. If you do not have email, call 415-772-0952, the Bay Area office of Humane California. There is no better time than right now, and there is no more important work you can do to help alleviate animal suffering today.
Restaurant Outing: Thursday, January 31
Alicia Robb will be coordinating a
dinner outing to Cafe Gratitude in San Rafael on Thursday, January 31 at 6:45
PM. Because a large turn out is expected, to ensure prompt service we will
submit our orders in advance. You can pick up a menu at the restaurant (2200
Fourth Street, next to Phyllis’ Burgers on “the Miracle Mile") or choose your
order from the “Take Out On Line” section of their website:
www.CafeGratitude.com Then email Alicia Robb with your order before January 31.
Send your order to Alicia@FSDInternational.org. If you do not have email, call
in your order to: 457-7488, and leave it on the machine. Your order will be your
RSVP, so be sure to remember to leave your phone number and name, too.
Realtor Will Share Commission
Meredith McCarty, founder of Healing
Cuisine, not only teaches people how to shop, cook, and eat a health promoting
diet. She contributes to wonderful organizations and sells houses, too! And she
will contribute 25% of her commission to Physicians’ Committee for Responsible
Medicine – or the vegetarian group of your choice – when you refer someone to
her who buys or sells a house with her as the real estate agent. To refer
clients, contact Meredith through Coldwell Banker in Mill Valley at 415-381-7681
or meredith.mccarty@cbnorcal.com. And to learn more about Healing Cuisine, visit
www.HealingCuisine.com.
Vegetarian Resource Group
Offers College Scholarships
The Vegetarian
Resource Group will again award $10,000 in college scholarships this year. VRG
will give two $5,000 college scholarships to graduating high school students who
have promoted vegetarianism in their schools and/or communities. The students
must be graduating high school in spring 2008. The deadline to apply is February
20,
2008. For more information or to read about past winners, go
to
www.vrg.org/student/scholar.htm
*************************************************************
To contact
us, write to VegetariansInMarin@earthlink.net or
call 415-459-1666.
We appreciate contributions of any size. We will thank you for
a
contribution of $20 or more with a 1-year subscription (or a
1-year
continuation of a current subscription) to VegNews magazine.
Send
contributions to Marin Vegetarian Education Group, 12 Rally Ct.,
Fairfax,
CA
93930.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December news from the
Marin Vegetarian Education
Group
December meeting
Vegan Holiday Potluck Luncheon
Noon to
2:30
Sunday, December 23
At a Private Home in Fairfax
RSVP required
Address given when you RSVP to VegetariansInMarin@Earthlink.net
or call
415 459 1666 and leave a message
Join us for a vegan holiday potluck lunch on Sunday, December 23 at a
private home in Fairfax. Show off your best holiday recipe or bring a salad to
share. Because so many people ask us what we eat at a holiday dinner when we
don’t eat animals, we are encouraging you to bring your camera to this event so
we can photograph the beautiful food before we partake. Then we can show the
pictures to anyone who cannot imagine what we eat at the holidays.
December Already!?
Thirty days hath November doesn’t really hit home until
it’s suddenly a new month, and the holiday season is upon us so quickly. Some of
the events listed below are very early in December, so please read this
newsletter as soon as you get it. And accept my apologies for not getting it out
sooner.
Living Foods Picnic – New Time: 1:00
Saturday, December 1
Still on
the first Saturday of the month, but now at 1:00 PM, raw food enthusiasts and
anyone curious to learn more will meet to share food and fellowship on Saturday,
December 1 at the bottom of the hill, below the gardens behind Robson Harrington
House at 237 Crescent Road in San Anselmo. Most of the attendees do not eat all
raw food all the time, but are trying to incorporate more raw food into their
diets. Come learn some tips, recipes, and encouragement from others who are
interested in the best the planet has to offer. If you don't know what to bring,
a salad or fresh fruit is always appreciated. For more information, call Tara:
388-8933
A Message from Will Tuttle,
Author of The World Peace Diet
Many of
you who have read my book, The World Peace Diet, have said you’d like to help
spread the message and we are putting together a way for you to do so. We have a
dream, and the dream is already beginning to materialize. The dream is of a
growing network of people who are putting on classes on The World Peace Diet
through their local churches, community organizations, colleges, veg societies,
continuing education institutions, and peace, environmental, and social justice
groups. One six-week class in Cincinnati has been successfully completed, and we
see many more unfolding throughout North America and the world. Ideally, the
classes allow for discussion and sharing of the main ideas in The World Peace
Diet, together with teaching basic ways of preparing healthy and nutritious
plant-based meals. Emphasizing both the theory and practice of the World Peace
Diet, we see that we can build a movement that can transform our culture from
the grass-roots level, furthering the benevolent revolution our culture yearns
for.
If you would like to find out more about this opportunity, please contact us. (WillTuttle@earthlink.net) We are putting together a course outline and can provide books at a discount and help with ideas to encourage people to sign up for the class. We suggest that you be paid for facilitating the class, through course fees or donations. Please contact us if you have ideas or questions about these opportunities, and if you’d like to facilitate a class in your area. The time for a grass-roots educational movement to spread the message of the World Peace Diet is upon us. It addresses the roots of all our dilemmas: global warming, world hunger, pollution, disease, water shortages, deforestation, species extinction, war, domination of women, terrorism, drug addiction, and the pervasive mentality of reductionism and exploitation that drives our problems. By presenting both the underlying understanding of why plant-based eating is essential with some practical tips, the classes can contribute to the transformation of our world. Thankfulness is not just words, but actions. Can we build a movement that future generations will be thankful for? I believe we can.
New Book from Ingrid Newkirk - and Book Signing in Berkeley
Ingrid
Newkirk, the founder and president of People for the Ethical Treatment of
Animals has a new book for anyone who shares his life with a dog. Let’s Have a
Dog Party! is a fun and practical guide to delighting your canine friends at any
one of 20 tail-wagging celebrations. You can invite other dogs or celebrate
alone with yours, but your dog is guaranteed to love you even more for it (as if
that is possible). The book’s foreword is by Pamela Anderson and the
introduction by Bill Maher. Included in the $12.95 paperback are silly dog
riddles (Why do dogs wag their tales? Because no one else will do it for them.),
recipes for dogs and humans, and great stories about dogs.
You and your dogs are invited to a book signing with Ingrid at Cody’s Books at 1730 4th St. in Berkeley on December 4 at 7:00 p.m.
Holiday Giving
I have found it helpful to stay out of the shopping and
spending fray, and honor friends and family with contributions to social-benefit
organizations. There is so much need among so many good organizations, and so
much waste in the consumer culture that this seems like a win/win strategy. Here
are some of the countless organizations that can use a contribution and will
happily send a note to the honoree:
Animal Place, United Poultry Concerns,
The Cancer Project (a division of Physicians’ Committee for Responsible
Medicine), The Marin Humane Society, The Food Bank, Food First, The Help Desk of
San Rafael’s St. Vincent DePaul Society, Adopt a Family of Marin, Bay Area
Vegetarians . . . The list, unfortunately, goes on and on. Pick a group whose
work you admire and send them a gift in any amount. Tell them it is in honor of
someone you care for and how to contact that person. (You can find these
organizations and others by Googling them).
Holiday Music
Having nothing whatsoever to do with vegetarianism (except
that this is also something joyful), Marin VEG's own Elizabeth Heitner and Patti
Breitman sing with the Mayflower Community Chorus. The group will be performing
December 13 - 16 in San Anselmo and December 15 in San Rafael. Please visit
www.MayflowerChorus.org to find out where and to buy tickets. It would be
wonderful to see some veg friendly folks in the audience!
An Amazing Animal
It has become an annual tradition to reprint this
wonderful essay by C. David Coats, author of Old McDonald’s Factory Farm.
Peace on Earth
Isn’t man an amazing Animal? He kills wildlife—birds,
kangaroos, deer, all kinds of cats, coyotes, beavers, groundhogs, mice, foxes,
and dingoes—by the million in order to protect his domestic animals and their
feed.
Then he kills domestic animals by the billion and eats them. This in
turn kills man by the million, because eating all those animals leads to
degenerative—and fatal—health conditions like heart disease, kidney disease, and
cancer.
So then man tortures and kills millions more animals to look for
cures for these diseases.
Elsewhere, millions of other human beings are being
killed by hunger and malnutrition because food they could eat is being used to
fatten domestic animals.
Meanwhile, some people are dying of sad laughter at
the absurdity of man, who kills so easily and so violently, and once a year
sends out cards praying for “Peace on Earth.”
Old MacDonald’s Factory Farm by
C. David Coats
Wishing you happy holidays! Hope to see you on the 23rd at noon!
*************************************************************
To contact us, write to VegetariansInMarin@earthlink.net or
call
415-459-1666.
We appreciate contributions of any size. We will thank you for
a
contribution of $20 or more with a 1-year subscription (or a
1-year
continuation of a current subscription) to VegNews magazine.
Send
contributions to Marin Vegetarian Education Group, 12 Rally Ct.,
Fairfax, CA
93930.
November news from the
Marin Vegetarian Education
Group
Marin VEG will not be meeting in November, but there are many opportunities to join with others to share good food and express gratitude for all we cherish.
Thanksgiving Celebrations
The San Francisco Vegetarian Society will
once again be offering Thanksgiving Dinner at Millennium Restaurant in San
Francisco (580 Geary Street at the corner of Jones in the Hotel California).
This early bird dinner begins at 11:30 AM, and is in a private dining room at
the restaurant. Paid reservations in advance are required. Make checks out to
SFVS and mail to SFVS, c/o Joseph Cadiz, 73 Rondel Place, San Francisco CA 94103
by November 17. Due to limited space in the Banquet Room, those who get their
money in first will have priority seating. The special SFVS price will be $45.00
per person; $25 for children under 12. Price includes vegan hors d’oeuvres,
salad, entrée, dessert, vegan nog, and coffee or tea, tax & tip. Wine and
extra beverages are extra. Call the SFVS veggie hot line for more information
415-273-5481
Be sure to check www. BayAreaVeg.org to see how many events they have scheduled throughout the month. These include at least two Thanksgiving Day food parties, one in San Francisco and one in Pacifica. You can register to host one of your own, or you can sign up for one already posted.
Wherever and however you celebrate, we wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving. May every day be cause for giving thanks.
Thanks to Kary Selman
Speaking of giving thanks, we are grateful to Kary
Selman who volunteers every month to print out and mail this newsletter to the
people who do not use e-mail. Thank you, Kary for your dedication and commitment
to getting this news to everyone who wants it. Your efforts are very much
appreciated!
.
Raw Foods Pot Luck Saturday, November 3
Its a new month,
time to try new foods and meet new people! On Saturday, November 3, a group of
raw food enthusiasts will be meeting for a pot luck picnic at 3:00 at the bottom
of the hill, below the gardens behind Robson Harrington House in San Anselmo.
Most of the attendees do not eat all raw food all the time, but are trying to
incorporate more raw food into their diets. Come learn some tips, recipes, and
encouragement from others who are interested in the best the planet has to
offer. If you don't know what to bring, a salad or fresh fruit is always
appreciated. For more information, call Tara: 388-8933
Robson Harrington House is at 237 Crescent Road in San Anselmo. For a history and historic photos of this beautiful building, visit http://www.sananselmohistory.org/robson1.html
Animals as Gifts
This holiday season, give a $25 Foster Parent
Gift Package from Animal Place. Your contribution will help feed and shelter a
pig all year long. You or the person you choose to honor will receive a
certificate, wallet card, 2008 animal wall calendar, Animal Place newsletter,
and a gift note. Choose from the many animals you can "adopt", including cows,
chickens, rabbits and more. To adopt an animal from Animal Place, visit
AnimalPlace.org or call 707-449-4814.
Farm Sanctuary is offering Turkeys for “adoption” this Thanksgiving. For a $20 contribution you will help to feed and shelter a rescued turkey throughout the year. You will receive a photo of the bird you choose to adopt (or the one they choose for you). Send your contribution to Farm Sanctuary, P.O. Box 150, Watkins Glen, NY 14891. For more information, visit www.AdoptATurkey.org
Feed a Turkey and Enjoy a Holiday Meal
On November 17 the California Farm
Sanctuary in Orland, CA will host its annual Celebration For the Turkeys. This
is a catered, vegan holiday meal at which guests will have the chance to enjoy
delicious food meant for humans and then serve turkeys their own favorite meal
on a silver platter! Watch the delighted birds enjoy cranberries, lettuce, and
other delicious turkey fare. Meet and greet these friendly birds while tv news
cameras show turkeys who are loved, not killed, at Thanksgiving. When you go to
the Farm Sanctuary web site – www.FarmSanctuary.org - scroll down and look at
the left side of the page. Click on Calendar of Events/Celebration for the
Turkeys. The cost is $30 per person for the meal and sanctuary visit.
Veggie Awards Announced
VegNews Magazine has announced the winners of the
2007 Veggie Awards. Published in their November - December holiday issue (on
newsstands now), the annual awards are the largest survey of its kind in the
world, with 20,000 readers voting for their favorite veg products, people, and
places in nearly 50 categories.
In addition to the readers’ picks, there are also editors’ picks. Because these editors see so many new books and products every year, it is a special honor to be named the best in any category by them. Colleen Patrick Goudreau’s new cookbook, The Joy of Vegan Baking was named best cookbook of the year by the editors of VegNews magazine! Congratulations to Colleen for her well deserved top spot. If you haven't bought her book yet, be sure to pick up a copy before the holidays. You will wow your friends and family with the desserts in this mouthwatering book.
For a sneak preview of the Veggie Award winners, go to http://vegnews.com/veggieawards_2007.html
Green Festival
Starting Friday, November 9 at 2 PM and continuing
through Sunday, November 11 at 6 PM, The San Francisco Green Festival will be
the hottest ticket in town. Come hear inspiring speakers, taste delicious food,
and be heartened to discover how many businesses and organizations are working
to solve our environmental problems. The festival is at The Concourse Pavilion
(635 8th Street at Brannon), and the cost is $15 for one day only or $25 for all
three days. Ordering tickets in advance from the web site will help you avoid
long lines at the door.
Friday night's guest speaker (6 PM) is Deepak Chopra, and the lineup for the entire weekend is superb. Come say hello to the good people at the VegNews booth if you attend. To see the entire schedule of events and sp