New Year, Same You?

After the holiday binge, many of us are ready to hit the ground running, and we do! Things go great for the first few miles, but by Valentines Day, we’ll have fallen off track and stopped going to the gym as often as we said we would. We start smoking and drinking again, we have more than a cup of coffee a day, and we even find rationalizations to eat unhealthy and ‘convenient’ foods. Worst of all, while we hurt our own bodies and brains – we often are unknowingly hurting other people, animals, and ecosystems in the process.

What if I told you that there’s a resolution you can make that will help you stay healthy and slim, that will curb global warming more than getting a hybrid, that will save lives, and help stop torture? Sound too good to be true? This year why not make a resolution that helps everyone and everything? Even if you’re selfish – you’ll look better, smell better, and taste better. Go vegan! It’s the greenest, healthiest, most compassionate lifestyle choice we can make.

I have compiled a list of New Year motivational stuff to keep you on track, and moving forward!

BOOKS:

Skinny Bitch in a Box How Your Diet Can Help Save Your Life and Our World

DVDs:
A Tribe of Heart Documentary
COOKBOOKS:

passionate about dessertMeat-free, Egg-free, Dairy-free Dishes from Sun-Drenched Italy

Fresh Friday Finds

1. Uncaged! Check out the animation for Prop 2! Vote YES!

Ellen Degeneres & Portia de Rossi speak on the animals behalf:

2. Online stores like Saks, and Nordstrom have ‘eco’ and ‘green’ shopping sections for men! If you don’t see it on your favorite website, just search: ‘ organic ‘ in the mens’ section.

Organic Cotton Hooded SweaterNordstrom Smartcare™ 'Mitchell' Classic Dress Shirt

3. Woodstock Farm Sanctuary only has four weekends left for visiting! If you haven’t been to see them, you must go! Hang out with the animals, take a tour of the farm, and meet the awesome, headline-making staff!

Little Lamb!

This is why I won't eat Lambs!

Here are upcoming events at the farm:

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• Oct 5th: “Thanking the Monkey: Rethinking the Way We Treat Animals” Reading & Signing with Author Karen Dawn (official site)

Thanking The Monkey“…With wisdom and insight… A bridge between worlds for both the committed and the curious…”
- Gloria Steinem

First, take a sanctuary tour 11:00-3:30. ($5 suggested donation). Then 3:30 – 5pm: Reading with Karen and special guests — then vegan snacks and wine. The reading is free but we hope you will buy a book as all book sale proceeds will go the sanctuary!

• October 11: Institute for Humane Education’s MOGO Workshop at the farm.

You don’t need a spandex outfit and cape to help save the world,  instead hone your activist skills at this one-day intensive workshop focusing on environmental, human and animal issues, run by the prestigious Institute for Humane Education. SPACE IS LIMITED – BOOK NOW – >>click for details<<

ThanksLiving

4. Fall Scarves

These are some wool-free, organic cotton scarves to keep your neck all cozy!

organic cotton scarf

Also check out the organic Hemp Scarves, and these organic scarves :

Mociun Printed Scarves

5. Veganic Farming

Although organic farmers avoid pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and genetically modified crops, many still use animal manures and slaughterhouse byproducts like bone, blood and fish meal. Find out more!

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6. Walk For the Animals

There is still time to Walk For The Animals for Farm Sanctuary! See the calendar for dates and locations!

Fresh Friday Finds

1. CROW Clothing
New Menswear from CROW Clothing is made from organic cotton, bamboo, and soy. But that’s not the best thing – they have a sliding scale for prices, so you pay what you can afford!

2. The numbers are in!
Forest Ethics released a report this week citing that “emissions generated by junk mail is equivalent to the emissions of more than 9 million cars, or if you prefer, 2.5 million cars idling 24 hours a day for 7 days a week.”

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2. Howies Organic Denim
This Howies organic cotton jacket is perfect for fall. And their organic skinny jeans with natural indigo are half off!
NedsterBackyard Jeans

3. Monkey Thanker
Friend of DB, Karen Dawn (author: Thanking the Monkey) was recently featured in a news segment connecting going green with compassion for farm animals. Check out the video here.

http://static.flickr.com/62/173510624_cc188396ec.jpg

4. HSUS Back to School Fur Free guide:

http://hsus.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/22/281x269_dereon_raccoon_dog_.jpg

Printable guide to telling real fur from fake fur:
http://www.hsus.org/web-files/PDF/fur/field-guide-on-real-vs-fake-fur-final.pdf
Printable fur labeling case report:
http://www.hsus.org/web-files/PDF/fur/fur-labeling-case-report-final.pdf
Printable list of fur-free companies:
http://www.hsus.org/web-files/PDF/fur/fur-free-list-pocket-guide-final.pdf

5. It seems unbelievable…
http://www.avert.org/photo_library/images/normal_photo_no_247.jpg
…but the Bush Administration is quietly trying to redefine “abortion” to include birth control. The Houston Chronicle says this could wipe out dozens of state laws that protect women’s reproductive freedom and protect rape victims. This “rule change” doesn’t need congressional approval. Can you sign an emergency message to Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, whose department is considering this rule change right now?

City of Angels

I always thought of LA as a big, dirty strip-mall that extended for miles in every direction. Now, however – after visiting for a few days with an amazing tour guide, I think of LA as a big, dirty strip mall with tons of vegan joints for miles in every direction. I arrived in LA with a suitcase and a big bag of Dr. Cow’s Tree Nut Cheese to share with the west coast.

Here’s some highlights:

Vegan Spot

Vegan Spot, Silver Lake
3206 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026

Vegan Spot had some yummy sandwiches. I had the “Cheesy Roast Beef” and Zoe had the “Philly Cheese Steak”. They thin-slice seitan, and smother it in onions and melted-vegan cheeses. It was pretty scrumptious.

Wine and Cheese

We headed over to a wine and cheese party where we ate copious amounts of Dr. Cow’s Tree Nut Cheese with the likes of Skinny Bitch: Rory Freedman, Emily Deschanel, Ari Solomon of Scent of Scandal, Karen Dawn and Paula the pitbul of Thanking the Monkey, among other amazing veggies!

Vegan Beer, Dr Cow Cheese, and Olvera St Market

Good Micro Brew & Grill
3725 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026

Casa de Sousa
213 703 5236
634 N. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(Located on historical Olvera Street)

We shared some Pinkus organic vegan beer over Hemp-Nut and Blue Manna Dr. Cow’s Tree Nut Cheese at Good Micro Brew & Grill. This appeared to be their only known vegan beer – and lucky for us – it’s a really delicious, light German beer. The Germans don’t use Fish Bladder (AKA isinglass) in their beer. Thanks Germany! This places serves meat but they have some decent veg options like the orange tofu. Ana loved the cheese! She works with Guayaki Yerba Mate, and gave me mate and a gourd!

Then we visited the historic Mexican district of Olvera Street and had vegan Mexican-chocolate lattes at Casa de Sousa, a vegetarian Mexican cafe!

THANKING THE MONKEY

Thanking the MonkeyIf you are a Discerning Brute, like I am – knowing what the hell is going on in this crazy world we live in, and pursuing knowledge, intelligence and understanding in order to navigate through it (lightly!) is crucial. That is why I am recommending Karen Dawn’s (of Dawnwatch) new book Thanking the Monkey: Rethinking the Way We Treat Animals.

I am reading it right now (got a proof at the press lunch) and it’s full of my favorite celebrities, features art and cartoons by the likes of the legendary Sue Coe, Anthony Freda and Dan Pirraro (of Bizarro), and reveals jaw-dropping information that you absolutely must know about!

The release of this book marks a milestone concerning the position of non-human animals in our culture. Where others have been prohibitively academic and heavy-handed, Dawn’s approach retorts with conversational humor and easy-to-understand philosophy, but doesn’t compromise at all when it comes to thorough research and honesty about everything from circuses to slaughterhouses.

With glowing reviews from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist, and incredible endorsements from Gloria Steinem, Bill Maher, Anthony Kiedis, Emily Deschanel, Paul Haggis, JM Coetzee, Matthew Scully, Rory Freedman, Persia White, Bruce Greenwood and many more – it is a must-read for anyone who has ever wondered about the position of animals in our society and wants to consider themselves ethically fabulous.

WATCH THE VIDEO:
I produced this video for Karen and spoke with a bunch of really intelligent celebs about the book:

BUY THE BOOK:
Harper Collins retail price $19.95
To buy a signed copy in advance, for just $14.95 plus shipping (USA only from this website, sorry) please use the “Buy Now” button below. It will take you to a Paypal page, but those without Paypal accounts can choose a regular credit card option. Shipping is $4.95 for one copy, $1.95 for each additional copy up to five, and free for all copies after five. The on sale date, when books will be in stores, is March 24th, 2008. Signed copies will be shipped in March.

buy now

Bourgeois Boheme Shoes

Bourgeois Boheme Shoes

Bourgeois Boheme, one of the UK’s most popular online fashion boutiques, has launched its very own range of vegan footwear for men. “Footwear for the ethically conscious” appears on the sole of each shoe.

“We saw there was a gap in the market for footwear that is not only animal-friendly but also stylish and affordable. It’s something we’ve looked for without success for years, so we finally made our own.” – Alicia Lai, founder

compassivo

The shoes are handmade and ethically produced in Portugal and India, and are made of microfibre, the highest quality and most eco-friendly leather alternative. They are 100% animal-friendly and even the glue being used is water-based.Simpathia

The London based company is catering to the continually growing movement of people who demand accountability from those they do business with. You can have peace-of-mind knowing exactly how their shoes have been made from design to finished product.

Espiritual ‘Full of Spirit’ is a range of men’s shoes handcrafted in Portugal. The collection presents eight shoe styles which include the dressy patent Liberto meaning ‘Free’; ‘Simpatia ‘Kindness’, ultra-luxurious and chocolaty, suedette brogues; faux crocodile shoes called Compassivo ‘Compassionate’; and Vida or ‘Life’, comfortable yet elegant slip-ons.

PensadorThe range is a rare find in the ethical shopper’s world where organic and ethical often means either high-priced or low-style. Bourgeois Boheme has produced a range of smart shoes that ticks all the animal-friendly, ethical and style boxes and yet is still affordable to the general market.

If you are not familiar with the leather industry, click here and get educated! Leather production is an ecological disaster, an ethical blight, and is not always a by-product of beef. In India, where cows are considered sacred, they are led outside the boarders of the country under horrendous conditions to be slaughtered specifically for their skins.

“Vegetarians who might consider wearing leather, because it is only a by-product, should consider that leather is the most economically valuable by-product of the meatpacking industry . The sale of leather goods bolsters the economic success of slaughterhouses and dairy farms.” - Karen Dawn, Thanking the Monkey

In addition to shoes, Bourgeois Boheme also carry a nice selection of bags and other accessories. Check them out!

bagbelts