The Discerning Brute

Ethical Exploits, Vol.5

by featured contributor Matt Lara

Celebrity Roast

It’s been making it’s debut all season. Everyone is talking about it. And if this month is one long headache to you, I can assure you that the Celebration Roast from Field Roast Grain Meat is something wonderful to look forward to. I happen to love the holidays, even though I haven’t been able to avoid sharing the table with dead birds this year. But those who tried my Celebration Roast loved it, and I would be happy to have it on my holiday table anytime. Luckily we still have time this year to impress with this deliciousness.

Caught in the Neti

There’s crappiness and cold in the air. If you’re in a big urban jungle there is smog and pollutants swirling all around you. If you’re like me you’re surrounded my nasty looking air as well all sorts of pollen, dander, and allergens. Add that to winter weather and you have sinus hell. Not Sexy. Rather than jack myself up on meds, I prefer a gentler approach—Neti Pot. I know it sounds gross to rinse out your sinuses, but it has always helped me out a lot. Our pals at Crazy Sexy Life have some really great info on all things Neti.

Stir Crazy

Go ahead, call me a food snob. I freely admit to being one – I care a lot about what I eat. Sorry my fashionisto friends, but I spend more money on quality food than I do on looking dapper at the disco. And when I’m done eating one (or more) of these sandwiches—messy face and all—I reserve the right not wipe my food snob mouth. I just love this dump-and-stir: Snobby Joes. This is from a favorite cookbook I use several times a week, The Veganomicon.

A Natural In Bed

I share my bed with a partner who is supportive but soft, warm but not over-heated, and a natural in bed—my buckwheat pillow from Beans72. Our relationship wasn’t always perfect and took some getting used to. I do opt for the softness of a regular pillow at times, but I find these ones great for a number of reasons. A mainstay Asian countries, they are made for comforting support throughout the night. The pillows from this site are made of quality all-natural materials, and are recommended for those with allergies to synthetic pillow fillers. They also don’t get warm like other pillows stuffed with synthetics. I find them to be perfect for when you are reading in bed or watching TV. We don’t necessarily promote rampant consumption of gifts here, but this is one useful gift I have used for years now. (Don’t forget to order the matching cotton pillow case for the Japanese size.)

Gifting To-Go

While we’re on the topic of gift giving, I can’t think of a simpler gift than this set of bamboo to-go ware from Taraluna. As you may know, bamboo is a highly sustainable crop and very durable. It comes with a knife, fork, spoon, and set of chopsticks in a rolling cloth carrier. I keep them with me all the time for meals out. Taraluna is a great resource for products all made from fair-trade workers. Check out their variety of products.

Out of Closet Experience

I needed some last minute do-dads. Being on a tight budget, I decided to hit up the big pink LA thrift shop chain known as Out Of The Closet. Now, I actually like the “charm” of your average thrift store—the laudromat odor, the linoleum floors, the collage of wracks and hangers, the screaming children, etc.. However, this location was a nice change of pace. There was an actual selection of items and not an insurmountable mish-mash of crap. The staff was pleasant, helpful, and conversational. It was one of the few places I have shopped in LA where I felt a sense of community. Perhaps that is because Out of the Closet is owned and operated by Aids Healthcare Foundation with a mission to generate income to fund it’s services. Many locations offer free HIV testing as well.

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Sap Anyone?

As we pass from holiday to holiday, I have to say thanks to anyone reading this little grouping of words. I hope some of it catches your eye. If it does, I truly cherish that there are honest gentlemen (and ladies) out there who are taking action to live as responsible humans. As I count my blessings this holiday season, I’m counting you all in. Merry wassailling!

1 Comment

joshuakatcher, December 11th 2009 | Tags: bamboo ware, celebration roast, Field Roast, matt lara, neti pot, out of the closet thrift, snobby joes, veganomicon
Posted in Contributer, Health, Uncategorized, food, green, holiday, home, human rights, organic, recipes, social responsibility, vegan, vegetarian

Local Myth, Man-Boob Billboard & Walking For Farm Animals

It turns out that omnivorous locavores may be bending over backwards for no reason if their goals are environmental. Read the Forbes article that takes the meat out of the locavore argument and puts the emphasis right back on the largest single contributor to greenhouse gas emissions: meat and dairy. But we know that already, right? There’s nothing green about local bacon aside from the greenwashing in which it’s packaged. It’s almost as bad as the “humane slaughter” myth.

Sometimes all you need is a simple, organic cotton tee in a few colors to take your wardrobe to the next level. Logos, silkscreen graphics and band names can distract from the main attraction: you. Alternative Apparel has crew neck and v-neck tees in every damn color.

PETA recently took some heat for asking us to save some whales - from blubber. Women went nuts when PETA put up a billboard saying that adopting a vegetarian diet can lead to weight loss, and now they are going after the guys! So what do you think? Offensive or crafty?

Meatloaf is not just for meat-eaters. With 33g of protein per serving, Field Roast’s Classic Meat Loaf packs some serious muscle. Order it online or check your local retailer.

Walk like a man. We often hear about all the things we should do “like men“. But now, you can really walk like a man, by raising money to benefit Farm Sanctuary! Click HERE to see all the walk dates and locations.

To raise funds in person, please use the Offline Donation Form. You’ll need to bring the completed form and any donations with you the day of the Walk. If you can’t make it and want to sponsor someone, like our friend Gretchen or Dave, or simply donate, please do that too!

Thanks to our friend Ari, who is often a guest columnist on GGA, and who owns the snarky, yummy vegan, soy-candle company A Scent of Scandal forwarded locavore and man-boob articles.

No Comments

TheDiscerningBrute, September 9th 2009 | Tags: Alternative Apparel, Field Roast, humane myth, locavore, meatloaf, peta, vegan, vegetarian, walk for farm animals
Posted in Uncategorized, activism, animal rights, cruelty-free, event, fashion, food, green, news, organic, sex, social responsibility, vegan, vegetarian

Fluffy Waffletacular Recipe!

If you missed the BUST Craftacular on Sunday, then you missed some amazing food! I teamed up with Farm Sanctuary and did a vegan waffle-demo with Q & A, then proceeded to pump out about 300 delicious banana-flax waffles with amazing toppings, and hundreds of delicious apple sage Field Roast sausage samples sauteed in Earth Balance with a touch of maple syrup. Lots of you asked where to get that Farmyard Waffle Iron, so HERE it is. Only $30!

I was so thrilled to meet some you in person for the first time! Thanks for coming out! Also, a giant super-duper thanks to my bestie Melissa for being a waffle-making-machine-in-a-pinup-dress! You rock. Ok, ok…Here’s the recipe:

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
• 1/2 large banana
• 2 Tbsp flax egg-replacer*
• 4 Tbsp agave nectar
• 1 cup rice milk
• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• pinch of salt
• canola baking spray (for waffle iron)
• maple syrup to taste

• Toppings!
DIRECTIONS:
* To make Flax Egg Replacer, simply combine Flax Seed and Water in a 1 to 2 ratio in a blender, until thick.

1. In a bowl, mash the banana until smooth.
2. Add the flax, agave nectar, and vanilla.
3. In a larger mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
4. Pour rice milk into the flour mixture, stirring with a fork.
5. Add the apple cider vinegar.
6. Add in the banana flax mixture from the other bowl.
7. Mix well.
8. Spray your iron lightly with the canola spray, and add the batter when hot!
9. Top with whatever you like! Try strawberry & banana, blueberry & soy whip, cinnamon & sugar, pecans & vegan butter, coconut milk-based ice cream, or chocolate sauce!

Special thanks go out to STOGO, Field Roast, Simple Food, Inc and Sweet & Sara for sponsoring me with delicious chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, and banana-berry ice creams, apple-sage veggie-sausages, decadent chocolate-soynut butter, and coconut, strawberry and plain vegan-marshmallows. Yum! Another special thanks to Brooklyn Kitchen for lending me amazing portable kitchen tools!

5 Comments

TheDiscerningBrute, May 19th 2009 | Tags: brooklyn kitchen, bust magazine, craftacular, demo, eco, egg replacer, farm sanctuary, Field Roast, green sustainable, recipe, sausag, stogo, sweet & sara, vegan, vegan waffle, vegetarian
Posted in Uncategorized, activism, animal rights, event, food, green, organic, recipes, vegan, vegetarian

Stolen Transmission! Girlie Girl Army

Chloé Jo of the Girly Girl Army is the queen of green. This hot Jewess has taken on New York City with style, sass, and sexy dissent. Who says you can’t save the world while looking hot? Chloé Jo sends out the most amazing weekly newsletters covering everything from fashion, food, travel, health, recipes and tips, to alerts, gossip , and sample sale low-downs – and it’s not just for the ladies!

I am obsessed with this newsletter – and If you haven’t signed up for it yet (dummy!) here is a taste of what you’re missing. This week’s newsletter:

___________________

GIRLIE GIRL NEWS. For the fashionably conscious.
Welcome to the GirlieGirl Army Newsletter. A weekly shout out of what you need to know.
Site. Myspace. Facebook. Join the list or update your info.

**** Pretty please scroll to the wee bottom of this email to view our ADOPTABLE PETS OF THE WEEK. These animals are all in emergency states of needing rescue. Many are purebreds and all are friendly loving angels. We have a list of pups and cats in most of our cities and others so please see below and please forward this email to anyone you think may be able to open their hearts to adoption or fostering. You fashion nuts will enjoy our sample sale listings below.

ON OUR GLAMAZON RADAR THIS WEEK:

Interview with raw foods goddess Gabrielle Brick, and tips on her perfect 10 bod!
Say it aint so! PUMPKIN PIE BROWNIES. Meet the recipe to your downfall here.

In preparation for the Republican National Convention, the FBI is soliciting informants to keep tabs on local protest groups (like veggie potluck dinners!): Moles Wanted; read more
This great blog: http://sixsentences.blogspot.com/ gives you an entire literary story in simply six sentences. Perfect for the wannabe intellectual with limited time!
You absolutely MUST check out this article with incredible pictures of one of Earth’s last uncontacted tribes firing bows and arrows. They have never had outside human contact and have been in the rainforest nearly 10,000 years! Enlarge
Somewhere between the summer staple of a bathing suit and a pair of shorts lies the most adorable piece of sportswear ever invented: the playsuit. Check out this collection of flirty suits that will beat the heat and keep you stylishly cool.
Summertime, and the boozings heavy! RightRides offers women free, safe, late-night rides home to reduce assault in 35 NYC neighborhoods.
See the world through the eyes of Gilbert & George with these life size retro glasses made into a fun necklace. The Gilbert & George signature is etched on a gin bottle tag at the clasp for authenticity.
How to Make Ethanol in Your Own Backyard; Its like Making Wine in the Garage.
Coco Irene is a darling new clothing line inspired by vintage cinema and effortless chic.
Sea glass begins its journey as refuse glass that was broken then discarded into the sea. The piece is swept and carried as powerful elements of sand, tide, water and weather perform their renewing work over time and terrain. The colorful jewel washes up on the shore and this fab n crafty etsy seller makes gorgeous, simple silver jewels out of it. Like this gorgeous ring named The Mermaid Tear which makes me want it asap.

Why Gwyneth Paltrow’s favorite bakery may just be the hippest and cutest little bake shop in from Bethlehem (no worries, they deliver everywhere!!)
A new kind of activism; http://www.guerrillagardening.org/.
Summer reading alert: The Boss of You: everything a woman needs to know to start, run and maintain her own business (Seal Press) is now available at Amazon.com, or better yet your local independent bookseller.
For the hot mamas and dapper daddies; When Dr. Lucy Gibney learned that her child suffered from severe food allergies, she developed a line of tasty, allergen-free cookies that every kid can enjoy.

Killer summer tour peddling its fun across the nation: The TRUE COLORS tour benefits wonderful HRC and PFLAG. Not only is it benefit tour for a great cause – it’s a dreamy line up for us children of the 80’s with Cyndi Lauper, The B-52s, Rosie O’Donnell, Joan Armatrading, Regina Spektor, Joan Jett, The Indigo Girls, Tegan & Sara, and SO many others killing us softly with their songs! Who wouldn’t want to spend a summer night dancing and rejoicing with the likes of them? Buy tix now, slowpoke.
For healthy folks and vegans looking to grill out (sans flesh); buy a pile of Field Roast meats. They are the most authentic grain based meats we’ve ever encountered and are delish times a million. See a list of where to buy ‘em here: http://www.fieldroast.com. Whole foods does carry the line. You will fall in love!
The best natural cures for a tummy ache!

Free this sweet dog who has lived in a cage for 16 years. Take action now
The journal Nature, and the NYT today displayed a cold-hard celebration of vivisection at University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. What they do to monkeys (our closest relatives) for the sake of fake science is sickening, and should rile up even an animal neutral person. See these sick experiments.
Chris Burden choreographed a performance art piece in which he had an assistant fire a single shot to his left arm. Is this art?

Portland gals n’ guys will want to hit this dinner event where Post Punk Kitchen diva Isa Chandra Moskowitz will be at the stove!
Organic Whole Foods veggies… come from China?!?! Watch the story.
Nearly everyone’s life has been touched by cancer in some way. Now you have an opportunity to have a positive impact on the fight against cancer with an organization that fights cancer with compassion. Everyone should check out this site; www.cancerproject.org.
Ted Danson reps for the fishies.
Hybrid Jaguars are on the way! You can sleep easy now
Gorgeous in green and gold, this vintage begonia leaf necklace, cast from pure brass, takes center stage on copper chain. A beautiful gift for $36!

Great tips for antiquing (East Coasters interested in visiting Farm Sanctuary should know there is fabulous flea markets five minutes from the farm!)
Harry Shearer breaks down 935 tales we were told according to The Center for Public Integrity. Creeps us out.
Joe Lieberman Vows To Blow Up The Internet.
New York’s annual celebration of great theater from New York, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain called TeatroStageFest in June looks like a great event with Jon Leguizamo rocking the stage as only he can do.
Take action against the inhumane dog cull in India. The state of Kerala in southern India is a popular tourist destination known for its sandy beaches, tropical lagoons and diverse wildlife. Unfortunately, Kerala is also known for their ongoing dog culls. Culling, or reducing population numbers using methods such as poisoning and clubbing, is not only inhumane, but also ineffective at combating rabies and other diseases. We need your help to send a message to the government of Kerala that culling is unacceptable and must stop. Read more and take action.
Los Angelenos: Sarah and Laban opened up this delicious veg junk food spot that must be checked out! Go check it out and support… it’s yummy vegan junk food. You’ll love it, and can peep your future ex boyf/girl while you wait for your milkshake.