Holy Rover. I glanced at the calendar this morning and realized that Save-a-Turkey Day is less than two weeks away…and I’ve yet to settle upon a Tofurky recipe!

I usually stick with the classic soy sauce and OJ baste recipe, but last year I got all adventurous and tried out the Caramelized Onion and Cherry Relish roast, which was super yummy. Coming off of VeganMoFo, I think I might feel like a bit of a cheat if I don’t try something different. But what? Did I mention that I’m a super-annoying-fussy eater?

The good peoples at Turtle Island Foods have really “beefed” up the selection of Tofurky recipes available on their website. In addition to the old standbys, there are recipes for a Maple-Pecan Tofurky Roast, South of the Border Tofurky Bake, Yam Good Cranberry Tofurky, Tofurky Wellington, Ginger-Garlic Tofurky, Deep Fried Tofurky, Pomegranate/Cranberry Tofurky, Crock Pot Tofurky with Cranberry Onion sauce, and Tofurky a la King, as well as recipes for chili, stew, gumbo, pizza and gravy (!). If you try searching the Google for additional recipes, you’ll find that many of Turtle Island Foods’ concoctions are echoed elsewhere. The Vegetarian Resource Group does have a few original ideas, though, including a Korean Barbecued Tofurky, Glazed Tofurky, Tofurky Stew and Tofurky Aztec.

Turtle Island’s recipe for a Maple-Pecan Tofurky Roast sounds intriguing, but I’m a wee bit worried about the chili paste - too spicy for my overly sensitive taste buds? Maybe I’ll be a goober and stick with Matt Lush’s simple Tofurky baste suggestion: 3 tablespoons olive oil (or other vegetable oil) + 1 tablespoon soy sauce + 1/2 teaspoon ground sage. Or dare I try his third option, with apricot jam?

Any suggestions from the veg*n gallery? What are y’all doing for the holiday? Are you even celebrating the holiday?

Whether you are or you aren’t, PETA2 is giving away a few free Tofurkys. Just blog about “why you won’t be eating turkeys this Thanksgiving (for all of your friends to see!), then leave a link to your blog as a comment below” - by November 19 - and drop a link to your entry in the comments.

Why won’t I be eating a dead bird on 11-27, you ask?

Because there’s someone behind - inside, actually - that meal. A previously living, breathing, loving, thinking, sentient being, with rights and interests far more important than my wish for a meaty meal.

Turkeys are always welcome at my place, of course, just not in the oven.

So, why won’t you be eating a turkey - and what will you be eating instead?

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare contest peta peta2 thanksgiving save-a-turkey day tofurky turtle island foods recipes dinner holidays observances turkeys wild turkeys flickr photos vegan veganism vegetarian vegetarianism

—– Original Message —–
From: No Kill Advocacy Center
Sent: Monday, September 01, 2008 5:48 PM
Subject: The No Kill Movement Today

A Call for Essays!

THE NO KILL MOVEMENT TODAY

What has changed for our movement? What have we discovered? What do we still have to accomplish? In other words, where is the No Kill Movement today?

The No Kill Advocacy Center is teaming up with The No Kill Nation in calling for essays about where the movement is today. All entries (subject to conditions below) will receive a free personally signed copy of Redemption, the book which has been called “a passionate advocacy for ending the killing of homeless dogs and cats in shelters.” The most thoughtful essay will receive two free registrations to the No Kill Conference in Washington D.C. (nokillconference.org). Winning entries will be published in The No Kill Advocate.

In September, the book Redemption: The Myth of Pet Overpopulation and The No Kill Revolution in America celebrated its one year anniversary in release. Redemption is being called “powerful and inspirational,” “ground-breaking,” and “a must read for anyone who cares about animals.” Nominated as the Best Book by the Dog Writers Association of America and winner of a Silver Medal from the Independent Publishers Association, the book shatters the notion that killing animals in U.S. shelters is an act of kindness.

The book has not only helped shift the national debate about killing, but also played a direct role in helping to transform communities. A rescuer in Washington received this from the shelter manager she gave a copy of Redemption:

She just called to say that [she] has read the book and has had a 180 degree turn around. She told [us] that she now sees they have all been brain washed. The book is going to make the rounds of the staff. The personal goal of the manager is no dogs [killed] due to space this year.

After reading Redemption, Porter County (Indiana) commissioners and advocates succeeded in getting the 20-year shelter director of the county’s animal control shelter in Valparaiso and almost all of the staff removed from their positions. What was once a shelter that killed the vast majority of dogs and cats, sold live animals to a research facility on the side, and even cruelly killed the animals has been No Kill since a new team took over. During a recent visit, dogs were playing outside, were being walked by volunteers, kittens were being bottle fed, adopters were coming through the shelter in droves, the place was clean, and the animals had enrichment items to play with and soft blankets to sleep on.

As Redemption celebrates its first anniversary, Tompkins County enters its seventh No Kill year, Charlottesville enters its third, and new communities like those in Reno, NV and Valparaiso, IN enter the No Kill club. Other communities—in Montana, Michigan, and elsewhere—have also embraced No Kill, and many others are aggressively moving in that direction. No Kill is on the agenda of local governments nationwide as advocates in communities as diverse as King County (Seattle), WA and Indianapolis, IN are using Redemption and the model it advocates to force changes in the practices of local shelters.

In honor of the one year Anniversary, the author has donated copies of Redemption to The No Kill Nation to give away. And we are joining in by offering two free registrations to the No Kill Conference in Washington D.C.

The No Kill Nation is sponsoring a call for essays/blogs entitled “The No Kill Movement Today”: What has changed for our movement? What have we discovered? What do we still have to accomplish? In other words, where is the No Kill movement today?

All submissions (of at least one page) received by October 1, 2008 will receive a free personally autographed signed copy of Redemption (while supplies last). The most thoughtful essay will receive two free registrations to the No Kill Conference in Washington D.C. (nokillconference.org).

For more information or to join, visit www.thenokillnation.com or click here.

www.nokilladvocacycenter.org

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts No Kill Advocacy Center The No Kill Nation animal adoption animal rescue dog canine cat feline pet companion animal no kill contest events conference Copyright 2007 Nathan J. Winograd Copyright 2008 Nathan J. Winograd Nathan J. Winograd book essays

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Nick Jukes
Date: Sat, May 31, 2008 at 9:51 AM
Subject: 2008 Humane Education Award - launch

InterNICHE announces the 2008 Humane Education Award to support ethical and effective life science education and training.

The Award is a grant program to enhance biological science, medical and veterinary medical education and training. Supported by Proefdiervrij, the Award offers 20,000 Euro (US$ 25,000) to be split between successful applicants.

Proposals are invited from all countries for initiatives to replace animal experiments and the dissection of purposely killed animals. Applicants may be teachers, students, campaigners or any other individuals committed to best practice education and training.

Examples of projects that may be funded through the Award include:

* Development of a new freeware CD-ROM, film, model or mannekin to achieve replacement

* Purchase of existing alternative products to achieve replacement

* Establishment of a student-based self-experimentation program to replace animals in physiology practical classes

* Establishment of a body donation program for securing ethically-sourced animal cadavers to replace animals killed for anatomy or surgery training

* Establishment of clinical learning opportunities to replace the use of laboratory animals in clinical skills, surgery or other practical classes

* Establishment of non-invasive field studies to replace the use of laboratory animals in ethology or other practical classes

(more…)

Y’all might remember that I reviewed Mark Hawthorne’s Striking at the Roots: A Practical Guide to Animal Activism a few months ago. How I raved and raved?

Well, PETA is giving away five copies of the book. (I know, I know, five copies doesn’t make for good odds, but still.) You can enter to win here. Deadline is May 9 - my birthday!

G’luck.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare contests peta people for the ethical treatment of animals mark hawthorne striking at the roots books activism

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: API Newsletters - donotreply [at] apiforanimals.org
Date: Dec 7, 2007 11:48 PM
Subject: DAF People’s Choice Award / National Bird Day e-Cards

Alerts at a Glance:

* Winner Declared for Design Against Fur People’s Choice Award
- You voted, and the results are just in for this special award — part of an annual design contest to raise awareness that it’s never okay to wear fur.

* National Bird Day Holiday e-Cards Now Available
- New online! Be sure to take advantage of a great way to remind people about this important day — on behalf of the millions of birds around the world who are exploited by the pet industry.

* Other Ways to Help Animals
** NY Artificial: Get an eco-friendly Karuna shopping bag and 60% of the profit benefits API’s work for animals.

(more…)

Via New American Dream:

In every month from July through December, New American Dream’s Carbon Conscious Consumer campaign will focus on one easy, habit-forming step Americans can take to help the environment by reducing carbon emissions. For July we’re focusing on eating locally. Did you know that food in the U.S. typically travels more than 1500 miles and generates five to 17 times more carbon emissions than food grown locally?

If you pledge to eat at least one pound of local food each week – and invite your friends to do the same – we’ll show you the positive impact of your action and give you a shot at some great prizes, including a $6000 eco-makeover for your yard!

Click on the logo below to pledge to purchase an lb. of locally-grown food this month (and increase your blegger’s chances of winning a newly revamped backyard to go with her newly purchased first (!) home!- don’t worry, I promise to freecycle all that unwanted foliage):

My weiner dog thanks you.

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts new american dream green food eat locally eating locally c3 Carbon Conscious Consumer carbon climate change global warming contest

Here’s the TOC from IDA’s 6-27-07 newsletter.

Click on the links to take action, or read the whole newsletter online.

IDA Action Alerts

Protect Polar Bears from Hunters; Ask Congress to support the Polar Bear Protection Act

Animal Experimentation Under Fire; Scientific and spiritual leaders speak out for humane alternatives

New Book: “Get Political For Animals”; Handbook offers how-to guide for effective legislative action

Campaign News & Updates

Victory! Federal Judge Throws Out Furrier’s Lawsuit; Court rejects charges of illegal protesting and protects animal activists’ freedom of speech

Victory! San Jose Becomes Newest “Guardian City”; Learn how to start a Guardian campaign in your community

IDA-Project Hope Helps Rescue Trapped Kitten; Please thank police and firefighters for helping rescue cat from storm drain

An archive of past IDA eNews newsletters is available here.

Also, a contest/event announcement after the flip.

(more…)

Via the Union of Concerned Scientists:

It’s Time to Vote - Choose Your Science Idol!

Recent investigations and surveys show that the censorship, manipulation, and suppression of federal government science has become pervasive in recent years. Political interference in science has hurt our air quality, allowed FDA approval of harmful drugs, and prevented the public from hearing the truth about global warming.

This spring, creative minds throughout America took the opportunity to show off their artistic and comedic talents in support of independent science by entering the 2nd annual Science Idol: the Scientific Integrity Editorial Cartoon Contest. We received hundreds of compelling cartoons and our panel of celebrity judges helped narrow those entries to 12 great finalists.

Vote for your Science Idol today and win great prizes—while helping UCS spread awareness about the importance of independent science to our health, safety, and environment.

Not explicitly animal rights, no, but some of the entries do focus on environmental issues, and one in particular (my personal favorite, by the by) illustrates the Bush admin’s attitude towards all species not rich, white, male, and human. So go vote already.

You can read more about the contest here, and register your vote here.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts ucs Union of Concerned Scientists contest science politics science idol political cartoon climate change wildlife conservation george w. bush gw bush corruption war on terra

Via Defenders of Wildlife:

A Rockin’ Way to Help Wildlife!

It was music to my ears: On Wednesday, the House Natural Resources Committee passed H.R. 2337, legislation that would offer a crucial lifeline to polar bears, monk seals and other wildlife threatened by global warming.

Now we need your help to ensure that this important bill becomes law… and we’re pulling out all the stops to address global warming and save wildlife. Here are two things you can do right now to help…

1. Take Action.

Urge your Representative to support H.R. 2337, vital energy and climate change legislation. This bill would create a much-needed national strategy to help polar bears, monk seals, sea turtles and other wildlife survive and adapt to global warming’s impacts.

2. Spread the Word.

Send our free e-card to 3 friends to encourage them to take action to save wildlife, and you will be entered for a chance to win 2 tickets to see the The Police, Melissa Etheridge, Kelly Clarkson, Kanye West and more at the historic July 7th Live Earth concert to raise awareness about global warming. You can learn more about Live Earth on the concert’s website.*

Why are we giving away concert tickets to one lucky winner and a guest? Because global warming is a clear and present danger to our wildlife, and Defenders of Wildlife needs to engage as many wildlife supporters as possible before Congress heads home for its July 4th recess.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts defenders of wildlife live earth global warming climate change conservation wildlife bears polar bears contests monk seals seals

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: ASPCA - news-alert [at] aspca.org
Date: Jun 8, 2007 8:00 AM
Subject: Cat Photo Contest/Pet Food Recall Update

ASPCA WEEKLY UPDATE

June 08, 2007

Welcome to our weekly email newsletter, your source for the latest news from our animal welfare community and information on pending humane legislation.

——————————
ASPCA NEWS ALERT
——————————

CALL FOR ENTRIES IN THE SECOND ANNUAL ADOPT-A-SHELTER CAT MONTH PHOTO CONTEST

“Look at that face!” How many times have you said that when watching your kitty? Now’s the time to let the world see that precious mug, too! In honor of Adopt-A-Shelter Cat Month, we’re putting out a call for portraits of the most amazing kitties around. Whether your cat is putting on her happy face, or her cranky, sleepy, curious or naughty face, we want to see it.

ASPCA SUCCESS STORY OF THE WEEK: “LANDON” ON HER FEET

After losing her childhood cat in 1994, Lindsay P. never thought of adopting again–until Christmas 2004.

TEXAS LAWMAKERS GET IT RIGHT IN 2007

The 2007 legislative session has ended in the Lone Star State, and the ASPCA applauds the Texas Legislature for upholding the ban on horse slaughter and passing several other measures to protect animals.

FROM OUR MODERATED DISCUSSION: ASPCA VET ON VACCINE SAFETY

Our good doctor clears up some confusion regarding rabies vaccines.

PET FOOD RECALL UPDATE: STAY ALERT TO NEW DEVELOPMENTS

With reports that acetaminophen has been found in brands of cat and dog food not included on the Menu Foods recall list, the ASPCA is urging pet parents to stay vigilant to signs of illness in their pets as large doses of acetaminophen can be extremely toxic.

PETS AND PEOPLE WIN BIG AT TAMPA ADOPTION EXPO

The first ASPCA® Mission: Orange?-sponsored Adoption Expo held in Tampa, FL, on May 19 was a record-setting success, with 170 cats and dogs (and three ferrets!) finding their forever homes.

————————–
ASPCA ADVOCACY
————————–

OREGON, SUPPORT YOUR STATE’S ANIMAL COPS

Oregon’s animal cops have been doing their jobs without the protection of an official government mandate. Please support SB 406, which will ensure that animals continue to be protected by codifying the powers of Humane Agents to enforce animal protection laws.

FEDERAL: SAY NO TO HORSE SLAUGHTER

The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act might soon be voted on by the entire U.S. Senate. Please take action on this important legislation today.

MORE ALERTS FOR YOUR AREA…

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ASPCA TOOLBAR
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STAY CONNECTED WITH US

Have you downloaded the ASPCA Toolbar yet? When you do, you’ll get our freshest content, including pet food recall updates, delivered directly to your browser, no matter where you are on the Web.

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Tell a Friend!

© 2007 The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®
424 E. 92nd St
New York, NY 10128
Visit us online at www.aspca.org

—————————-

Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts aspca American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals horse horse slaughter horse meat texas oregon animal cops humane officers menu foods recall pet companion animal pet food dog canine cat feline dog food cat food contest photo vaccines vaccine safety rabies acetaminophen Tampa Florida adoption expo mission orange American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act