Spring

Did I say I was pleased with the weather?

I think that was before 'the coming of the pollen:'





This was after ONE night. Ridiculous.

I think I need a 'California Car Duster.'

Walk

It's been so nice out, the dogs and I went for a walk, I love this time of year, everything is blooming but nothing is quite 'ready.' The skies are clear without the humid smog of summer.





Weather this week...

Monday - 64
Tuesday - 65
Wednesday - 72

...perfect!

A confession

Pretend that this is a post-secret and the caption reads: I don't comment if you have one of these.


That's my secret. It's really rare for me to comment on a blog that has one of those encryption things. I cannot read them. I don't know why (maybe it's my eyes, maybe it's Safari, who knows!) but I always end up retyping them 4 or 5 times before I get it right. It's incredibly frustrating.

I don't have that level of security on my blog and I think I've had all of 3 spam comments on my 300+ posts over the last two years.

If you have one, please, please, please reconsider!!

It's missing!

So I have a bunch of photos on my camera but I misplaced my transfer cord. It's a funny cord, not just a mini-USB, which is unfortunate, because even on the 'bay they're going for about $40.

I'm going to give it another week to turn up, in the meantime, I'll have to take pictures with my phone to upload.

So frustrating.

AAVS Anniversary Dinner

This is the amazing Vegan Treats cake, I wish I took more pics of the other courses, but it felt inappropriate because it was such a fancy dinner!!!


I wish I had more pictures of the event, it was fantastic. I was honored to be seated with representatives from HSUS and Gene Baur from Farm Sanctuary.

If you have an opportunity to hear him speak on his book tour, you absolutely need to go, he is amazing.


Also please check out HSUS, they are doing amazing work behind the scenes (and in the spotlight) to promote animal rights issues in state and national politics (right now they are working with PA politicians to ban all pigeon shoots).

New Blog

A friend of mine just starting blogging. He's a master vegan chef and his presentation is incredible. Right now there are only a few posts, but hopefully he'll add as he goes.

Above is a photo of one of his recent creations - iced avocado cream with mini samosas and red pepper.

(He currently lives in Germany, but blogs in English)

link: whoXcares blog

Dog Park!

It was so nice out recently that we took a trip to the dog park (it's about 25 minutes away by car, unfortunately).


They began the day by making a sweep of the perimeter.

Once all areas were cleared and properly marked, they began playing with the other dogs.
George couldn't resist joining every squabble and adding his two cents.

Guillermo Del Toro to direct The Hobbit

I know that this is nerd-news for sure, but I am stoked. New Line announced that Guillermo Del Toro will direct the two-part Hobbit movie. Unfortunately the first part won't drop until 2011.

Check out the full story at CHUD.

Trip to Indy

I took a quick trip to Indianapolis last weekend. Flying out of Philadelphia, it was a straight shot on a small plane:



Note to vegetarians or vegans living in Indianapolis or other parts of Indiana more than an hour from Chicago -- I am SO SORRY!!! I was flabbergast at the complete lack of veggie options. I wanted to take my grandmother out for brunch at a vegetarian restaurant and after an EXTENSIVE online search found that there wasn't one!! There were a couple of Indian and Asian restaurants that were veg-friendly, but no vegetarian restaurant. I truly don't know what I would do if I lived there. I am so lucky to live on the extremely veg-friendly east coast!!

If you've experienced something different in Circle City, please let me know as I'll probably be going back in July and would love to be able to eat more than salads and BK Veggie Burgers.

Earth Day in Pennsylvania

Today is Earth Day and in PA, it's also our day to have our say in the Primaries.

What am I doing today?

Voting for Barack Obama.






..................................................................
Obama Statement on Earth Day
By Sam Graham-Felsen - Apr 22nd, 2008 at 9:19 am EDT
Comments | Mail to a Friend | Report Objectionable Content
Chicago, IL — Today, Senator Obama issued the following statement to mark Earth Day.

“As America and the world observe Earth Day, the call to save our planet has never been more urgent. In recent years, we’ve seen the harm that more severe weather events can do. We’ve seen it in the droughts that have swept the South, the hurricanes that threaten our shores with increasing ferocity, and the rising sea levels that could one day submerge our cities. This is a challenge unlike any the world has ever faced, and America must lead the world to meet it.

“But Earth Day is not just an urgent call to action; it is a reminder that what is now a global effort began as a grassroots movement for change. Nearly forty years ago, our nation was at war, recession loomed on the horizon, and Americans were losing faith in their own government. But in the face of division and despair, young Americans came together around a common purpose. In high schools, and on college campuses, in small towns and big cities, they rose up to demand that Washington help solve our growing environmental crisis and establish Earth Day.

“While our planet is in greater peril now than it was forty years ago, we are now better prepared to protect it. From solar panels to windmills to biofuels, innovators in America and around the world are inventing our way to a clean energy future. But solving our climate crisis requires more than technological breakthroughs. Our leaders in Washington have to put what’s right for our planet ahead of what’s good for their friends in the energy industry. Executives in the energy industry have to understand that there’s nothing inconsistent about acting in a way that’s both responsible and profitable. And each of us has to do more in our own lives to use energy more efficiently.

“We have a choice in this country. We can continue with an energy policy that makes no sense, and serves the interests of the big oil and gas companies at great cost to our planet. Or we can choose a different future – a future where America is energy independent, and no longer funding both sides in the war on terror; a future where we’re leading rather than undermining the global effort to combat climate change; and investing in green energy technology, and creating the jobs of the future. That is the future I believe in, and that is the America I’m running for President to lead.

“On this Earth Day, let’s recapture in Washington, on Wall Street, and all across this country the spirit of unity and urgency that led those students to found Earth Day all those years ago. And if we can do that, then I truly believe we won’t just be freeing ourselves from the tyranny of oil, or saving this planet for our children, we’ll be fulfilling our obligation to be good stewards of God’s creation.”

Product Review: Good Karma "Rice Cream"

I randomly found this at a health food store outside Atlantic City, NJ (totally random). I haven't seen it anywhere else which is a shame.

If your HFS carries Good Karam Rice Divine, you must request the Carrot Cake flavor.

I'm not usually a fan of "Rice Creams" but this is smooth and creamy with a delicious flavor and chunks of carrot cake, it was amazing. I ate the entire pint in one day.

Rutgers

I recently went to Rutgers University for a conference.

Here's a picture of the delicious 'salad' I got from the dining hall:



And here's a picture of a funny sticker on the side of a bathroom stall:

AAVS Anniversary Dinner

The American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS) is celebrating their 125th anniversary.

You can help them celebrate (I'll be there for dinner on Saturday, I can hardly wait!):

AAVS 125TH ANNIVERSARY ACTIVITIES

Saturday, April 5

125th Anniversary Celebration Dinner

Time:
6:00 p.m. reception
7:15 p.m. dinner

Location:
Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue
Located on the Avenue of the Arts in the heart of Philadelphia at Broad and Walnut Streets

Fee:
$250 per reservation
Please note Space is limited and reservations are necessary. If you would like to attend this event, please contact AAVS at anniversary@aavs.org or (800)SAY-AAVS.

Join us for a celebration of 125 years of work to end the use of animals in science! The evening will include:

• Key note speech by Tom Regan, author, philosopher, and animal rights activist

• Presentation of the Caroline Earle White Award to Shirley McGreal, Ed.D., O.B.E., founder of the International Primate Protection League (IPPL)

• Inaugural screening of a short film documenting the history of AAVS

• Musical entertainment by Anna Crusis Women’s Choir.
Anna Crusis Women's Choir, founded in 1975, is the country's oldest feminist choir and has been honored for its community service in the Philadelphia area.


Sunday, April 6

“Speaking Up for Animals' Rights – A Historical Perspective”

Time: 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Location: National Constitution Center, Kirby Auditorium
525 Arch Street, Independence Mall, Philadelphia

Fee: No charge (note that admission to National Constitution Center exhibits requires a fee)

This panel discussion promises to be truly stimulating and informative. Participants include panel chair Bernard Unti, Ph.D., Senior Policy Advisor and Special Assistant to the President of the Humane Society of the United States; Craig Buettinger, Ph.D., Professor of History at Jacksonville University; and Susan Finsen, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy at California State University – San Bernadino.