I read and heard so many great things around the vegan world this week I couldn’t resist. Here are my top five.
1. Colleen Patrick-Goudreau’s Food For Thought podcast.
I finally subscribed to this podcast. What have I been waiting for?! I laced up my shoes and headed out for a long walk — and Colleen inspired and educated me the entire time. Of particular interest:
- Where do I get my calcium if I don’t drink cow’s milk? This piece equips you to explain to others why you don’t drink cow’s milk…and why YOU DON’T NEED IT!
- The Protein Myth and Vegetarianism This question from non-vegans has been annoying you and you know it. But how much protein do YOU think you need? I have certainly bought into the “I need more protein” idea. I learned so much.
- Finding Abundance while Traveling in General (and in Ireland) I have been traveling a great deal and often fall into that whiny trap of “there’s nothing to eat.” Colleen gently reminds us that there is always something to eat — it just might not be exactly what we want to eat (she gets bonus points for suggesting french fries at the airport).
2. NASCAR
I never thought I would mention NASCAR on this blog but I received a press release from Farm Sanctuary and I just had to share.
On August 15 NASCAR driver Andy Lally, a three-time champion of both the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona race and the Grand Am Rolex Series, and TRG Motorsports driver Spencer Pumpelly, a two-time champion of The Glen’s six hour race will visit Farm Sanctuary. Lally and Pumpelly are both vegan,. “I do it for ethical reasons,” explains Lally, who currently holds the record for most podium finishes in a single season in the Grand American Rolex Series. “By this point in human evolution, we should be smart enough and kind enough to live without torturing other living beings just so we can enjoy lunch, especially when there are so many delicious plant-based options available.”
This will be Lally’s first visit to the world-renowned sanctuary. Pumpelly visited in June. “I’m honored to support Farm Sanctuary and the people who are devoted to defending others,” says Pumpelly.
I want them to decorate their cars with logos from vegan companies and insist that vegan food, beer and wine are available at their races! A girl can dream…
3. Queer girls rule (share your story!)
My pals Courtney and Sarah, who I met last April, wrote an incredible guest post, Green Recovery: Exploring the Link Between Sexuality, Diet, and Self-Esteem, for Gena on Choosing Raw. They are working on a book and are seeking submissions.
Courtney Pool and Sarah E. Brown are writing a book on holistic health for lesbian and bisexual women (and their fans!). One of the purposes of the book is to shed light on connections between sexuality and our relationship with food and health. Our book, which we are currently in the process of writing, will discuss how coming out being a woman who loves women (or other non-normative sexual orientation) relates to body image, gender identity, emotional eating, veganism, our relationship with eating in general, and other aspects of health, including spiritual health and relationships. Our goals are to help women empower themselves through awareness, self-inquiry, and learning self-acceptance. We also will highlight how plant-based diets can help promote self-kindness as well as kindness for animals and the planet.
We want to include stories, anecdotes, and insights from other women who love women on these topics. Below is a list of various subjects women have written about in relation to being a non-heterosexual woman:
- Body image, eating disorders, emotional eating, eating issues around coming out, self-acceptance, etc.
- Veganism and Sexual Orientation
- Animal rights and LGBT rights and human rights
- Sexual Orientation and Spiritual Health
- Benefits since switching to a plant-based diet
- Being vegan in a relationship (where just one of you are, or where both are)
These are just some ideas, but mostly anything along the lines of eating and sexuality as well as all levels of health (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual) and sexuality are within the scope of our work. We’re looking to keep each contribution under 300 words. We’d be happy to print your first name in the book, or, if you’d prefer, you can be completely anonymous. Thank you so much for your contributions! We hope to help a lot of people with our stories. Please e-mail sarahbrown70 [at] gmail [dot] com to submit!
If you are a lesbian or bisexual women I hope you will submit. If you know a vegan lesbian or bisexual woman, I hope you’ll pass this along.
4. Allison’s Gourmet announces premiere design contest
You know I love me some vegan, organic sweets and treats (well, when someone else is making them) so I couldn’t resist sharing this press announcement from Allison!
Allison’s Gourmet, the beloved online vegan organic bakery and confectionary has announced the company’s first-ever design contest in the 15 years since opening their virtual doors.
The Tee and Tote Design Contest offers design students, professionals and design enthusiasts the opportunity to submit artwork for use on Allison’s Gourmet t-shirts, tote bags, and website. Inspired by her long commitment to the vegan diet—abstaining from any animal products— founder Allison Rivers Samson’s contest calls for designs that celebrate the cruelty-free and joyful side of being vegan.
After the deadline for submissions on September 15th, there will be two rounds of voting: Round 1 will be open to the public and rely on the artists to rally their community to help them make the top ten design finalists. Round 2, beginning on October 1, will be the final decision round made by an all-star vegan panel of judges including: Gene Baur, co-founder and president of Farm Sanctuary, Colleen Holland co-founder and associate publisher of VegNews, Nathan Runkle, founder and executive director of Mercy for Animals, Chloe Jo Davis, founder of GirlieGirlArmy.com, Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart, founder & President of Vaute Couture and Troy Farmer and Katie Frichtel, husband-and-wife design team at Raven + Crow studio.
The grand prize winner will receive $500 and 3-month membership to Allison’s Gourmet ($596 total value), second prize winner will receive a 6-month membership to Allison’s Gourmet, 6 containers of So Delicious Dairy Free ice cream and an autographed copy of the book Veganist, by Kathy Freston ($247 total value) and the 3rd prize winner will receive a 3-month membership to Allison’s Gourmet and a one-year subscription to VegNews magazine ($117 total value).
Participants must be 18 years of age and U.S. residents. Each artist may submit up to three designs. http://www.contest.allisonsgourmet.com
5. Ellen DeGeneres helps you go vegan
‘Nuff said. Check it out: Going Vegan with Ellen
Lots of vegan news! And lots of posts this week on this vegan blog!
- MONDAY: I would like your opinion I can’t thank you enough for the excellent feedback and ideas for posts on this blog! Feel free to add to the list!
- TUESDAY: The Day After BlogHer 2011: R&R
- WEDNESDAY: There’s nothing to eat! (Turns out, there is)
- THURSDAY: 6:00 a.m. Lentil Salad
- FRIDAY: PureFit Bar review (and a coupon code for you!) EDITED 8/15/11 1:30 p.m. EST: the promo code works! Go got your 25% off!
- SATURDAY: Kale Smoothie and a Garden Update
- MONDAY: In this moment by Mara of Medicinal Marzipan
- THURSDAY: Jess Weiner is on a diet and I’m eating french fries
Whew. This was a long post Hope you found the news and round-up helpful!
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