Sunday Lineup

Via Nikki, these Long Beach Community College students are mesmerized by the truth (click for larger).

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Government, Part 3292

Erik has the latest example of the government not being on the animals' side.

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Friday Video: Vegans in Vegas!

Here's a video starring VO's very own Jack Norris (he's introduced at about 5:10).

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Sunny Times in Sunny Boulder!

Barbara sends along these pictures, with the note: "If a three-year-old can leaflet, so can you!"

Nicholas gives the animals a hand.

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El Paso Interview, Part 2

Anyone who slogged through part one of my interview can now listen to part two. (I get to Jack's book in this segment, but don't let him know.)

And, as is the case every Wednesday, today's Enewsletter is going out now; please check to see you get it. Thanks!

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Tuesday: Definitive, Starbucks, Who Really Benefits, etc.

Still don't have Jack's book? Be sure to read this: Vegan For Life "the Definitive Vegan Nutrition Book" (can order here)

Starbucks adds vegan Sesame Noodles to their menu

Via Erik: Who Really Benefits from the (Proposed) Egg Industry Deal?

How 'Conscientious Carnivores' Ignore Meat's True Origins

All Birthday Cake and Alcohol is Vegan

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More Media Idiocy

Via Erik: A “Bones” Star's Controversial Vegan Pregnancy

As Erik points out: “The irony is that if a woman added unhealthy crap like ice cream and hamburgers to a well-planned vegan diet, these objections would vanish.”

I'd love to see a law passed that anytime anyone mentions “vegan pregnancy” would be required to link to Jack's Vegan Children page. 

To update lifelong vegan Ellen's entry: in her Junior year, she not only continued to get straight-As, she also got a 2320 on the SAT and three perfect 5s on her AP tests (to go with her 5 last year), as well as earning her fifth and sixth varsity athletic letters. And she produced this working at a virology lab at the University of Arizona this summer.

Too bad she doesn't eat animals — she might actually have some success!

-Matt

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Sunday Story & Team Vegan Pic

Leslie Goldberg: "Another VO volunteer -- Lori Atkinson -- and I went to the big farmer's market in San Francisco at the Ferry Building on Saturday. We handed out 170 in 40 minutes and, as far as we could see, there were no throw-aways.

"I didn't know about these torturous conditions for farm animals until two years ago after seeing Food, Inc. It's the worst thing I've ever witnessed and I later learned that movie was quite bland compared to what is really going on. But I walked out of the theater stunned, saying to my husband I would never eat chicken or anything with eggs in it again.

"I've been so happy to find Vegan Outreach so I could finally do something. It has helped relieve me of that terrible sick feeling I get in my stomach thinking about what is happening to millions of animals at that very moment.

"(It's also helped me to not to focus so much on trying to persuade my friends and family to go vegan, which, btw, has absolutely not worked.)"

Caroline Jones and friend.

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Shame On You, Leafleters!

Bad leafleters! You've made the poor Cattle Network unhappy! And then you pile on with clever comments!

 Hellogoodbye's Forrest Kline
with VO's Warped Tour booklet.
Photo by David Coman-Hidy.

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Friday Videos

If this is legit, it is awfully weird / funny!

And Jessica points out this Google+ video uses "vegan cooking" as its example!

Another Warped Tour attendee is
engrossed in learning the formerly-hidden truth.

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Thursday News: Jack, Review, Organic, Nutrition

Here are Jack's upcoming speaking events (including AR2011 this weekend!).

Speaking of Jack, here is a good review of his new book.
In the same blog post, I find it interesting that Dawkins admits to eating animals out of cowardice. Maybe a new slogan:
“Be a hero, not a coward — Choose compassion!”

Scientific American has a provocative post on organic farming.

5 Ways In Which the Nutrition Field Hinders Its Own Progress

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Understanding Reality for Optimal Advocacy

Those of us concerned about animals often have an unrealistic view of what motivates our fellow citizens. For example, we sometimes think the main driving force for people's dietary choices is optimal health (or, we think it should be), and thus advocate low-fat / whole-foods / raw hyper-healthy foods.

But regardless of what people say, reality clearly shows this isn't the case.

In this "funny" segment, Jon Stewart gives the 2011 update to "Got Health?"

It is important we recognize this reality, if we are going to have the biggest impact possible for the animals.

And somewhat related, be sure you've taken a few minutes to read Ginny's article, "Being Picky About Vegan Nutrition."


PS Today's Enewsletter is going out—please be sure to look for it!

No obesity here! Jon Camp reaches out for the animals
at the Kansas City Warped Tour stop. Nick Cooney and
David Coman-Hidy are in the background.

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Animals, Not Arguments, Global Warming Edition

As discussed in greater length here, it is vitally important that our advocacy be based on what will make the most real-world difference for the animals, rather than what makes sense to us, or what seems to make veganism seem "better."

The dichotomy between what sounds good to vegans and the actual implications for animals are apparent with the global warming argument (as shown here).

This continues to play out, as seen in this latest post from the Environmental Working Group, which our friend Bruce labels: "Environmentalists -- Eat More Chicken."

As discussed in the above links, we understand the reaction of, "But veganism is best for global warming!" Again, the bottom line isn't our reaction / interpretation -- rather, what matters is how things play out in the real world. Only a handful of people are motivated by "best;" for almost everyone, "better" is good enough.

We can't continue to present arguments that, while compelling to vegans, lead to people eating more animals.We have to understand human nature and advocate appropriately for the animals.

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Monday News, July 18

Leafleting superstar Leslie Patterson
models her new Team Vegan shirt.

Why we do this work, part 2,413: "In North Carolina, the heat wave killed about 50,000 broiler chickens at a Johnston County farm when the power went out for about 45 minutes."

And because of our work, change continues apace: New Vegan Option at Starbucks.

Peter: How animal welfare signals moral progress

Haven't ordered Jack's book, Vegan for Life? Peter tweets: Want all the facts about vegan nutrition? At last, a well-researched book that doesn't disguise the complications.

Via Marco: British Journal of Sociology discusses Vegephobia (pdf)

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Sunday Funnies

Oh noes! Nutrition recommendations changed again!

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Friday Video: Surf's Up!

Geese just wanna have fun!

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Health / Nutrition Links

Jack's Book Tears Up the Charts!
(Can order here)

Important read: Why Jack and Ginny's Book Matters

More Jack: Iodine in Vegans

Antioxidant Love

How the Media "Covers" Health News

Is Drug Resistance in Humans Coming From Chickens?

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Another Missed Milestone!

In all the excitement surrounding the publication of Jack and Ginny's new book (see this for a good explanation as to why it is very, very important), I missed the turnover on the odometer:

Vegan Outreach distributed booklet number 15,000,000!

Thanks so much to all the donors and all the activists who made this possible! I don't know any other accomplishment that is as much a team effort.

Together, we'll reach the next 15,000,000 in just a few years!

15,000,001 -- Stewart Solomon reaches out for the animals at Warped Tour.

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El Paso Interview, Part 1

Direct listen link; from the July 10 show here (scroll down).

Can't say how good it is — I can't stand to listen to my own voice!

-Matt

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7-11 Links

The Foundations of Empathy Are Found in the Chicken

Yankees Pitcher Uses Vegan Glove

New York Times on Layer Hens Negotiations

Bittman Sees Through the Scam

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July 4 Story

Quote within a quote; from Carla and Bryan Wilson:

We handed out 1600 CCs last night at a July 4th festivity in Altamonte Springs. Julia and Olivia Gros joined us; it was their first time and they had a blast! I asked her to send me a blurb of how she thought it went:

Today was the first time my 11 year old daughter [above] and I had been a part of a Vegan Outreach leafleting event. We both had an amazing experience and were blown away by the number of people we were able to share this important information with. We are both rather introverted people, and had no real idea of what to expect from the day, but were able to reach out to 750 people, spreading the idea of compassion toward all creatures! One leaflet recipient, after paging through the information, walked back to me in order to thank me with a hug, and several others were overheard as they walked on, remarking on their own vegetarian choices! We look forward to more fantastic opportunities to be a voice for all sentient beings at future events!

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Warped Leafleting ROCKS!

When in Rome... Casey Constable blends
right in with the Warped crowd!

Up to 10,000 new individuals are being reached at every stop at this summer's Warped Tour! Jon Camp had this to say before he headed out to join the fun:

We have an army of amazing activists traveling across the country, reaching so many new people!

Last year's leafleting brought in scores and scores of Guide requests, and we expect even more this year with our revamped booklets, suited to text-crazy youth.

We'd be hard-pressed to find a more ideal demographic for our outreach.

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Friday Video: Vegan Metal Chef Is Back!

For all you head-bangers: Easy Meal Ideas for the Ages. (h/t Phil)
(Again, dedicated to Lauren, VO's heavy metal design and research goddess.)

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Jack's Book Now in Catalog!

Shortly after yesterday's post, copies of Jack's book arrived here at the office. You can now order it via the VO catalog (please allow a few days, as we're still filling backorders).

Thanks!

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Jack's Book!

Yes, the rumors are true -- Jack and Ginny's book, Vegan for Life, is shipping from Amazon! And copies are supposed to be arriving here at the office any day now, after which point we'll put it in the catalog.

More on this when we're shipping from here.

In the meantime, check out this early review, and get ready to get healthy!

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Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

More from Kristin: The Vegan Skeptic breaks down Erik Marcus' call to be an "Animal Millionaire."

Speaking of millionaires: Eugene Khutoryansky, shown here at the
San Antonio Warped Tour, is closing in on 500,000 people reached!

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4 July Links

From Kristin, Tal Ronnen focuses on making as big a difference as possible. Mark Bittman has a companion piece.

Shocking! Breathing In Misty, Mushed-Up Pig Brains Is Bad for Your Health

We've added AnimalVisuals' great map to our video resources page.

Bonus for those who don't have enough cuteness in their lives.

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Recipe Sunday, July 4 Edition

Gardein's Ultimate Beefless Burger has replaced Boca's burger as our favorite here (although we still eat plenty of the latter -- the jumbo ones from Costco are very cheap!). Our local grocery store (Bashas) carries it, along with other Gardein.

According to VegNews, the UBB is even great grilled. We've never tried that, but for those who are adventurous, give it a try and let us know!

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Belated Post

Not sure how I missed this back at the end of April, but here is Jon's summary of his latest tour:

The trip is now finished and I spent last night in my bed for my first time in 60 days. Total stats for tour, with volunteers helping tremendously: 42 schools leafleted, 43,044 students reached, 9,365 miles driven. Thunderous applause goes out to all of you who housed me, who leafleted with me, and to everyone who continues to see the great value of smart, focused outreach to youth, by supporting this work financially.

While driving home yesterday, I was listening to a radio interview with Raymond Arsenault, author of Freedom Riders, a book about those who headed into the south in the '60s to challenge racial segregation in interstate transport. While noting that some of these activists suffered life-long injuries from being assaulted (e.g. brain damage, confinement to wheelchair from injury-related stroke), the author mentioned that those he interviewed had no regrets about taking part in this work, that it was seen as "the moment of their lives."

While leafleting colleges is, of course, less risky than what civil rights activists had to face, being involved in this work has certainly been "the moment" of my life, and I'm assuming that many of you feel the same way -- that when all is summed up about how we lived our lives, the most important factor for many of us will be that when it would have been easy to take the route of comfort and conformity, we risked ridicule and antagonism, and gave up some comforts, to speak out against a great injustice, taking the side of the vulnerable. Thanks so much to all of you who continue to fight the good fight on behalf of animals!

You can also see Jon's recent write-up of AAC here.

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Celebratory Friday Videos

Group Barbaric Yawp to everyone involved with Team Vegan!



And more from the movie -- Seize the Day! Don't wait for others to act, don't count on big groups or the government to create change -- do it yourself, every day!

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