Compassion Is The Only Way To A Happy ThanksLiving Day

With gratitude to all those who live compassionately. <3

The "Science" of Eggs

Here ya go folks... The "science" of eggs as demonstrated through common animal agriculture practices. Starving and gassing 50,000 hens - if not for the amazing rescue by the heroes at Animal Place.



And here's the real science of plant based Beyond Eggs:





Beyond Eggs ingredients include peas, sunflower lecithin, canola, and natural gums. In addition to being vegan, it's also gluten free and cholesterol free.   
More info on Beyond Eggs and here.
And don't miss your opportunity to sign up for a free sample!

File this under "Posts that write themselves"! :)

The Irony - Finding & Killing Your Favorite Cow

Two articles reached my mailbox almost simultaneously and I'm left scratching my confused head over the contradictions they expose.

There's this account that cow-rancher-turned-author-wanna-be Amanda Radke gives of reading her book Levi's Lost Calf to a group of school children. The book apparently includes all the expected characters and "drama" surrounding a barn... While Levi and his friends search for the missing calf they encounter a bunny, a raccoon and I imagine other wild critters that help further distinguish the role of the "domesticated" missing prize...

I belong to me- by B.Elliott

Of course the story will end happily as the calf is recovered and not quite "finished" yet. But there is the treat of a "kid friendly", "real cowboy cookout" recipe included in the final pages... 

I haven't read the book but I can guarantee ya --- There will be blood.

Oh but there's nothing that isn't age appropriate though... Ms Radke makes it clear that she's not "taking any bullet" to explain where/how baby calves come from... No... There's no talk of sperm straws or genetically selected bull semen in this meat on the hoof story... Just pure love in saving a stray (favorite) calf - (ugh!)

Click. Delete.

Next comes this from Drovers - The Cost of an old cow where ranchers are urged to evaluate the expense that sentiment might entail: 

"Every article about culling cows includes a bullet point that says “old cows,” but rarely are there reasons to get rid of the “trail boss cow," the last cow you bought from dad, or the favorite 4-H heifer listed. There is a favorite cow in every herd that gets kept every year, even if she calves a little later each spring and the calf weans a little lighter in the fall. Reasons to cull these animals could include the death potential of older cows and the increased feed costs required to keep them".   

So we can see where Levi's lost calf eventually winds up... Even after all the teachings of "family values", loyalty, love and "care" - If the bottom line says that even the "favorite" cow doesn't count unless he/she is "profitable"... Well everyone gets snuffed out of the financial story! But as Ms. Radke mentions in several of her posts... This is exactly how her gOd planned it for FFA members and all the spiritually guided cowboys. - (ugh!)

Click. Delete.

Now contrast this shrewd calculating of what an other's life is worth and mosey on over to this fabulous post at VINE Sanctuary where there's a joy-filled celebration talking place inspired by the rescue of 5 "old" cows...

So the next time Levi's missing a calf - Or Drover's addition fails - Let's hope they all wind up as valued as these guys: 
 


You don't need to kill them. You don't need to contribute to the blood spilling coffers. And you shouldn't lie to kids or yourself that you do. Vegan is Love - "saving" a calf to kill later isn't!

Click. Delete.

Being Thankful for Living Turkeys - A Compassionate Holiday

I sure don't want to leave this blog in a cranky or unhappy state during what should be a nice celebration of abundance!  Tomorrow for the 4th year I'll be feasting at a banquet spread consisting of beautiful plant based foods. My group calls it ThanksVegan - And indeed the food and the company make me very grateful for Vegans who are thankful and thoughtful.

So in pre-holiday festivities I thought I'd leave Provoked on a pleasant note with some of my favorite messages of a compassionate nature:

The story of Sadie and her three sisters rescued and residing at Safe Haven Farm Sanctuary.

This affectionate and very vocal turkey at Animal Acres is guaranteed to make you smile!

And the recent rescue of one super lucky turkey hen by Animal Place Sanctuary. Someone to be Thankful For

But all of us who are opting for other choices during holidays - before and beyond - give sanctuary to all birds and beings all the time!  We've found a way to feast on "life-giving not life-taking foods" :

With bountiful gratitude to all who have done so!
Happy ThanksLiving!

Sanctuaries For Our Food And Our Friends - Part Two

In Sanctuaries For Our Food And Our Friends - Part One I took a look at new "reversed" systems that could provide food by growing it indoors and could give animals a real life, by letting them live outdoors.  Kind of a revolutionary idea - isn't it? But then so is the idea of providing "food" animals with loving homes. And after a comment left by Bren McClain,  I realized this tribute to sanctuaries for "farmed animals" was sadly lacking in my blog. So I'm dedicating this post to correcting that.

Mama Red

I have added some well known and not-so-famous sanctuaries on the side bar and will of course add more as they come my way.  I'd also like to acknowledge Bren McClain's story in appreciation. I was deeply touched by her memories of a cow named Mama Red.  And so happy that Bren is writing a novel that explores the whole 4H beef raising competition and sale, a rite of passage for many young people.  Any personal experiences of readers who have ever participated in these "feeding out the steers for market shows," should get in touch with Bren at bren@brenmcclain.com. and share these stories with her.  I'm sure they would be a great contribution to her very important work.

Frequently absurdities are most clearly seen when contradictions are set along side of each other. The juxtapose of profit-oriented "livestock" and havens of rescue such as Cow Sanctuary couldn't be more evident to that. One values flesh as a dead "product". The other cherishes animals alive, even if at "cost" to make and keep it so.

But the idea of rescuing "food animal" is frequently met with total, heartless ignorance. There are some that feel quite threatened at the idea that anyone could care for this type of species at all, aside from the significance they serve to be placed at the end of a fork.

Lisa

There's an article here about how Whatcom Humane Society is showing a documentary film called "Pigmalion", the story of an 800 pound Yorkshire pig named Lisa, that was sent to Sanctuary One rather then sent to slaughter. With so few comments, the ones left by Garnet appear all the more hurtful and crass.  Her (?) comments: "I for one am tired of the "do-gooder" animal rescue stories of livestock food animals" and "They cannot be used for breeding, and they are not to be eaten. They are now a pet". She thinks that Lisa instead should have been butchered to feed the dogs... And that since Lisa is an omnivore, she could never be trusted not to harm someone.  Well, I suppose Garnet has that right about not trusting omnivores.  Certainly the human ones can sure snuff a lot of lives in the name of "food".

Anyway, one of the best things about sanctuaries is they have the opportunity to tell the stories of how the refugees one by one or sometimes by the hundreds made their way to safety. Where they could live out their lives in the way that all beings should be allowed to.  I admire and respect all who have ever provided loving homes to the ones who would be "worthless" otherwise. A special appreciation too to Farm Sanctuary - Now celebrating 25 years of rescue and hope.  ~Thank you~

Part One

World Problems - Vegan Solutions

As if this story isn't chilling enough:

This comment from from ezeflyer, brings it all to a deeper understanding.  

"641 Brazilians, 230,000 Haitians, 108,492 Iraqis, 1,384 Afghans, 1,100 Pakistanis, 3,650 Palestinians, 1,142 Israelis, 2,750 Americans on 9/11, 4,435 American troops, 40% of all deaths worldwide from pollution, etc., all casualties of overpopulation, resource depletion and extreme wealth and power concentration."

Meanwhile Cargill 2nd quarter earnings nearly triple.  Ivory Coast post election Violence Rises. As do the waters from the historical El Nina driven floods in Australia.
  
In the U.S. wheat prices are up 50%, corn 70% and sugar has doubled... There are newly erupting food riots in pockets around the world as we speak...  American unemployment hasn't been this high in over 50 years.  Nor has homelessness.
  
It's easier to face possible disasters if you're vegan.  Plan and plant a garden.  Invest in bulk food items such as beans, rice, lentils, nuts/seeds, oats/grains and dried textured vegetable proteins.  In crisis situations these foods could  make all the difference in the world.  In the now... These food choices make all the difference in the world to these guys.

Not only might you protect your own future but you'll make a better world... Go Vegan!