April, 2020
Marin VEG
What a strange way to enter April! This virus is forcing us to
recognize life’s fragility, unpredictability, and its forever
changing nature. At least we’re all in this together. That's another
thing we are forced to see now; we are, indeed, interconnected.
I hope that you and your loved ones are well and safe.
At the end of this email is a short essay I wrote last week, when we
were three days in for sheltering in place. It's called The New
Normal. It pretty much sums up my feelings about keeping
perspective, even in the midst of a frightening pandemic.
As to vegan news, I'm saving a lot until we can shop and dine out
again. Here are a few things to do and read at home:
Tuesday, April 14 through Saturday, April
Climate Diet Summit
Free, On-Line
If, like me, you are frustrated that so many experts ignore the
role of animal agriculture in discussions about climate change, this
free, on-line summit should bring a smile to your face. Allison
Rivers Samson and Sarina Farb join with Miyoko Schinner, lauren
Ornelas, Dr. Milton Mills, Dr. Michael Klaper, Dr. Will Tuttle, Hope
Bohanec, and other vegan luminaries to share information and hope in
the effort to use diet change to fight climate change. Sixteen
experts in science, public health, the environment and medicine will
be speaking over the course of the summit. Learn more and register
at https://www.cdssummit.com/
Event Cancelled, Contributions Needed
Rancho Compasion has had to cancel the Mindful Eating Film
Festival, but the animal sanctuary still needs to feed and care for
its residents. See what they're up to and help the animals there at
https://mailchi.mp/bef41e67b8d3/march-updates-new-residents-and-coronavirus-response?e=9e227985fb
The Source of This Corona Virus
Many articles have been written about the source of this virus
and calling for an end to animal agriculture as we know it (factory
farms and more). Here are two that I know about thanks to
DawnWatch. The first is from National Review, and the second from
Scientific American. Please sign up to receive alerts (free) and
support DawnWatch with a contribution if you can. They keep us
abreast of media coverage of all animal issues, and encourage us to
write respectfully to the media in thanks for the coverage. I am a
long time fan and supporter of DawnWatch. https://dawnwatch.com/
Conscious Eating Conference Videos Now On Line
This year's Conscious Eating Conference from United Poultry
Concerns was different from any other animal rights or vegan
conference I've attended. With a theme of Making Connections:
Overlapping Oppressions, it taught me a great deal and widened my
perspective. I hope you will take the time to watch some of these
superb presentations.
https://upc-online.org/alerts/200312_announcing_the_conscious_eating_conference_2020_videos.html
Dairy Industry Fighting Back
I enjoyed reading this article about marketing cows'
milk and non-dairy milk.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/14/style/milk-dairy-marketing.html?referringSource=articleShare
Ethical Vegan Who Was Fired
The man who sued to get ethical veganism to be a protected
class in England has settled with his former employer. Three
cheers for the courage he showed in speaking up to show his
company's hypocrisy. Here's more:
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2020/mar/02/ethical-vegan-jordi-casamitjana-settles-tribunal-case-against-charity?CMP=share_btn_link
How Plant Based Meat is Created
Here's another interesting article from the New York Times
about how plant based meat is made to mimic animal based meat.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/03/dining/plant-based-meat-science.html?auth=login-email&login=email&referringSource=articleShare
Major Sea Food Company to Offer Vegan Alternative/ Fish Feel
Speaks for All Sea Creatures
Bumble Bee tuna is jumping into vegan territory.
Unfortunately, it will also continue to sell fish. But like many
purveyors of animal flesh, Bumble Bee wants in on the fastest
growing segment of the food industry. Here's the story:
https://vegnews.com/2020/3/bumble-bee-s-new-venture-is-about-to-make-vegan-seafood-widely-available
One of the most underfunded groups helping one of the most
exploited animals is the wonderful FishFeel.org. Get to know
this unique organization and support them however you can.
fishfeel.org
Cactus into Leather
Thanks to Linda R. for pointing out this new source of vegan
leather that's making news. A 3 minute video in the link is worth
watching.
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/men-design-leather-out-of-cactus/
New Vegan Cheese Brand Launching
I'm not sure if they're on schedule, given our stay at home
mandate, but a maker of a popular sauerkraut, Wildbrine, is
planning to launch a new, vegan cheese line in April. Based in
Santa Rosa, the cheeses will include Neo Classic Brie Alternative
along with cream cheese, butter, and dips. Learn more at
https://vegnews.com/2020/3/a-new-vegan-cheese-factory-just-opened-in-northern-california
Verbatim, from Colleen Holland, publisher of VegNews:
(If the links do not work, go to this address and scroll down:
https://mailchi.mp/dd0806a216f5/a-message-from-colleen-co-founder-of-vegnews?e=b313426094)
The feel-good stories I’m loving this
week
We’re
overwhelmed with negative news, so to preserve my sanity, I
need to fill up on good news as much as possible. Here are the
stories I’m loving most …
1. Starbucks
Responds to Demand to Drop Vegan Milk Tax read story here
2. There Are
Now 1,000 Vegan Restaurants in Japan read story here
3. Snickers
Cuts Ties with SeaWorld read story here
4. Nearly 50
Percent of Americans Plan to Drink Plant-Based Milk Regularly read story here
5. Amid
Coronavirus, Vegan Restaurants Launch Eat-at-Home Menus read story here
6. Martha
Stewart Partners with Beyond Meat to Fight Climate Change read story here
7. Subway
Launches Vegan Cheese-Filled Sandwich Across Brazil read story here
8. Scientists
Side-Step Animal Testing to Fast-Track Coronavirus Vaccine read story here
9. 10 Vegan
Activities to Stay Happy and Healthy read story here
10. 9 Easy
Ways to Jazz Up Trader Joe's Vegan Mac and Cheese read story here
The New Normal
We
are decidedly not gathered together, but holed up alone or
standing six feet apart as we mourn the loss of normal.
This
strange time is now the new normal, just as 55 is the new
“elderly” and suddenly included in the high risk group.
The
new normal is checking the pantry before every meal and hoping
we have enough lentils.
The
new normal is washing our hands after taking in the mail or
taking out the compost.
The
new normal is not flying east to visit your mom who, for the
first time in 75 years of weekly pilgrimage, is no longer going
to the beauty parlor. At 91 she says, “Who’s going to see me,
anyway?”
Or
a friend not being allowed to visit his mom, across town, who is
confined to and getting meals brought to her room in an assisted
living home.
The
new normal has its benefits: Neighbors offer to shop for us, old
friends call us, we call them. This is the new normal as well.
And
the old normal isn’t totally gone. If we pay attention, we can
see that there is more going on than the fear of contagion that
isolates us.
Branches
that last week were in full flower now share their space with
new leaves. This is the delightful, old normal.
Birds
now wake us at first light.
Poppies,
buttercups, hounds’ tongues and mission bells adorn the woods.
Irises are coming. These, too, are the welcome, old normal.
Good
writing still entertains us. Good
tv shows still captivate. Cleaning out a drawer or medicine
cabinet still satisfies. Naps
are still delicious.
May
we all find ease in the new and joy in the old normal.
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